My Child Disliked Swimming Lessons, But I Insisted He Attend Anyway

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As I stepped out of the car, the air was filled with the sound of children wailing, calling out for their mothers. I made my way to the back passenger door, unbuckled my son, and gave him a gentle kiss on the forehead as I lifted him from his car seat. Clutching onto my shirt and sucking on his pacifier, he seemed completely unfazed by the noise around him. Grabbing his diaper bag from the front seat, I closed the car door behind us.

We approached the gate leading to the pool area, which I unlocked. As we walked along the red brick path, the swimming instructor waved at us from the pool where she was busy with another child. I settled onto a picnic table with my son on my lap. A fellow parent guided me to the filing box and instructed me to locate my child’s folder, fill out the necessary paperwork, and hand it to the instructor when it was his turn.

Lessons occurred every weekday for 10 minutes, requiring us to arrive 15 minutes early. It was a well-established routine; the instructor remained in the water, while experienced parents helped newcomers navigate the process.

Completing the daily forms while my son observed the other kids around us, I felt a sense of calm as he smiled at those nearby. I changed him into his swim diaper and bathing suit and we settled in, waiting for his lesson to commence.

The little girl before him, just two years old, screamed throughout her lesson, yet the instructor remained unfazed. I couldn’t help but wonder how my son would respond and felt relieved that he was only 6 months old—he wouldn’t be able to shout “mommy” just yet.

Soon, the instructor beckoned us over. She instructed me to lay out two towels on the pool deck, and I placed my son down. He dipped his feet in the water, kicking and splashing joyfully. The instructor reviewed his paperwork before lifting him into the pool. She began by gently wetting him, and he splashed playfully, giggling as she bounced him in her arms.

Then, without warning, she submerged him completely. In that moment, a wave of helplessness washed over me as a parent. My heart plummeted as my son emerged, crying out and searching for me. The instructor comforted him, patting his back while waiting for him to settle down.

The first few days of lessons were among the toughest parenting experiences I faced. I watched from the sidelines, unable to console my child when he cried. His expressions of distress, seeking my help, broke my heart, yet I masked my worries with a smile, cheering him on every time he looked my way. Despite the anxiety, I found solace in knowing that these lessons would equip him with crucial water survival skills.

Drowning can occur in just an inch of water within a minute, often silently and without warning. The CDC states that drowning is one of the leading causes of accidental deaths globally, especially among children and teens under 19. From 2005 to 2009, the highest rates of drowning fatalities in the U.S. were among children aged 1 to 4, making it the second leading cause of death in this age group.

By the third day of lessons, my son had stopped crying entirely. It was as if he was comforting me, understanding the importance of the skills he was learning. By the end of the session, he graduated from the first level, mastering the ability to float on his back, roll over if he fell face down in the water, and float fully clothed, even with a diaper and shoes on. We would need to return every six months for refresher courses, and yearly to build upon his skills.

Now, at 5 and a half years old, my son loves swimming and has no recollection of his initial tears during those lessons. He is a confident swimmer and diver. I believe those early lessons empowered him, fostering body awareness, comfort in water, and confidence to explore new challenges.

Many people questioned my decision to start swimming lessons at such a young age, but I trusted my instincts. I wanted to ensure my son would never become a drowning statistic. Drowning is preventable, and I felt empowered knowing that swimming survival skills, constant supervision, and educating myself on water safety could keep my child safe.

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In summary, while my child initially resisted swimming lessons, he eventually embraced them, gaining essential skills that would serve him well in life. My commitment to ensuring his safety in water proved worthwhile, and today he enjoys swimming without a trace of fear.