As I stepped out of the car, the air was filled with the wails of children crying out for “Mommy.” I made my way to the back passenger door, unbuckled my son, and planted a kiss on his forehead as I lifted him from his car seat. Clutching my shirt tightly and sucking on his pacifier, he remained unfazed by the surrounding chaos. I grabbed the diaper bag and closed the car door behind us.
We approached the fence, and I unlocked the gate to the pool area. The swimming instructor waved to us from the pool, occupied with another child. I settled at a nearby picnic table, placing my son on my lap. A fellow parent pointed me to a file box where I could find my child’s folder, fill out the required paperwork, and bring it to the instructor when it was time for his lesson.
The lessons ran daily from Monday to Friday, each lasting 10 minutes, and we needed to arrive 15 minutes early. It was a finely tuned routine; the instructor never left the water, and seasoned parents were always eager to help newcomers like me.
I completed the paperwork while my son observed the other children, smiling at everyone around him. He was in good spirits. I stripped off his shoes, changed him into his swim diaper and bathing suit, and got out the towels. We sat off to the side, waiting for his turn.
The little girl who had just finished her lesson was about two years old and had spent the entire time screaming. The instructor, however, was unfazed, continuing with the lesson as if nothing was wrong. I sighed in relief that my son was only six months old and wouldn’t be shouting “Mommy” at the top of his lungs.
Soon enough, the instructor gestured for us to join her. She instructed me to lay out two towels on the pool deck. I placed my son on the towels, and he immediately dipped his feet into the water, splashing everywhere with glee. The instructor reviewed the paperwork I had filled out, then scooped him up and took him into the pool.
At first, she walked him around the shallow end, getting him used to the water. He was splashing and smiling, clearly enjoying himself. But without warning, she submerged him completely. My heart dropped to my stomach. I shot up from my seat as my son surfaced, screaming and desperately scanning for me. The instructor gently patted his back, soothing him as he burped.
Watching those first few swimming lessons was one of the toughest moments of my parenting journey. Helplessly, I stood outside the pool, unable to comfort my child while he cried. His expressions of distress broke my heart, but I masked my worry with a smile, cheering him on whenever he glanced my way. Despite my anxiety, I found solace in my decision to start swim lessons so early; these skills could literally save his life.
Drowning can happen in mere inches of water and within a minute, often without a sound. According to the CDC, drowning remains one of the top causes of accidental death globally, especially for children and adolescents under 19. Between 2005 and 2009 in the U.S., kids aged 1 to 4 faced the highest drowning mortality rates, making drowning the second leading cause of death after congenital anomalies for that age group. It was also the second leading cause of injury-related death for children aged 5 to 9 and the third for those under one and between 10 to 19.
By the third day of swimming lessons, my son had stopped crying altogether. It felt as if he was trying to ease my worries, understanding the importance of those swimming survival skills. By the end of the session, he had “graduated” to the first level, mastering floating on his back, rolling over when face-down in the water, and even floating fully clothed, diapered, and shod. We’d need to return every six months for refresher courses and annually to build on what he’d learned.
Now, at 5½ years old, my son adores swimming and has no recollection of those early lessons filled with tears. He’s become a confident swimmer and diver. I truly believe those early lessons empowered him. The swimming survival skills instilled in him body awareness, comfort in water, and the self-assurance to tackle new challenges.
Many people thought I was out of my mind for starting swimming lessons with a six-month-old, but deep down, I knew it was the right choice. I never wanted my son to become a drowning statistic. Drowning is preventable, and by equipping him with swimming survival skills, ensuring constant supervision, and educating myself on water safety, I took steps to safeguard his life. For more insights on related topics, check out this informative post on water safety and drowning prevention.
In summary, while my child initially hated swimming lessons, my commitment to ensuring his safety through early exposure paid off. He transformed from a hesitant baby into a confident swimmer, proving that the benefits of starting early far outweigh the initial struggles.