Swimming lessons

When Jackson was a baby we did mommy & me swimming classes, we did three sessions. In the last one he got an ear infection, and after that I was reluctant to put him in any lessons. When kids turn 3 they can go into lessons without mommy. I waited until he turned 4, and then spring, to sign him up. He had 4 private lessons, to help get used to the water, and he really liked it and wanted to do more. It is really hard to get into classes here, you have to be online when registration opens in order to get the convenient times. I managed to get him in two 5 day sessions for the first level, one in July and one in August, I assumed he wouldn't pass since he is quite nervous and tries to pull his head out of the water when he's supposed to be floating. The classes were Monday to Friday at 5:30, so evenings were very rushed! He managed to pass the Sea Otter level, I was told because it is assisted floats. I think perhaps everyone passes unless they refuse to get in the water or something. It was nice to have all 5 classes in a row though, I think he learned well.

Of course it meant I had to change his second set of lessons to the Salamander level. Which moved it to 4:45!!  Crazy evenings, by the time we got home for dinner we were both starving and I still had to cook, so we got some fast food this week. And of course he had a few melt downs at the end of the classes.  Sadly he did not pass, so will be repeating in the fall. I have him signed up for the regular class, which is 9 weeks, one hour, again at 4:45, and 6 kids instead of 3. I hope he manages to pass! If not there is a 5 week session right after that he can do. I am hoping he passes and will be a Sun Fish for that session though. It will be tough with school but I think we can do it.

All this mad rush for swimming lessons is in part due to our big travel plans for my big 40th. I think with the Disney stay and the cruise, we will be swimming a lot! At least I hope so. At least he is a lot more comfortable in the water, and willing to jump in, with puddle jumper. We had a day at the beach and two chances to swim at the hotel pool in Toronto, he loved it. Once he got into letting go he was a champ, jumping in, trying to doggy paddle, and just move around. It was great, and I think it will mean a good vacation. Give him another year and we'll be snorkeling I'm sure!

One thing that would be nice, would be having a man to help him get changed and all of that. They do have family change rooms but they are super busy. He has to come into the ladies room with me, which he doesn't like. Someday he'll be old enough to handle it on his own, someday!

With his crazy antics after the lessons I've tried everything, threats, rewards, and then today on Facebook I saw an article linked from the Aha parenting ladies page. It talked about 4 ways to help kids with this type of thing, well other things too but this was one that I found helpful. So we now have a squeeze move.  When he's mad at me and wants to hit he now squeezes my arm instead, it doesn't hurt me but lets him get his aggression out. It worked well tonight, along with flipping him upside down, which sounds silly but was helpful, it just changed his perspective a bit, and made him want me to do that over and over again, so it was "after we get you to the change room, after you get dried off, after we get outside".  It helped. Making sure he has enough to eat as well, though I think a bigger snack is needed, just don't want him too full before we go.

He has been enjoying the swimming so much he wants to have a swimming party for his birthday. They have a package where the kids get to swim for an hour, 8 kids with 4 life guards, parents do not have to go swimming! Then an hour in a party room for the cake etc. My only concern is getting 8 kids changed after swimming, and getting my kid to leave the pool!  It sounds like fun any way. I'm just not sure if I want to do it, or stick with a Gym Tale like last year, that was a really good party and went well. And is about $30 cheaper.