Swimming Lessons

We tried swimming lessons when Grace was barely 3 years old and she was terrified. After the first lesson and her not letting go of the instructor's neck, the director told me she would give me my money back and to get her used to the water before trying again. So, that's what we did. Later that summer she finally decided to believe me that she wouldn't die from putting her face in the water. At 3 years old, she actually put it together that you have to breathe to live and you can't breathe under water, so it must make you die if you go under water. She was only about 3 years and 3 months old. Once she discovered for herself she would be OK, she's been a little "fish" ever since. Now, she didn't learn to swim but she wasn't afraid at all. Unfortunately, it's taken me this long to get her back into lessons. She's learned a little from Eric and me but it is definitely time for some professional help. Lyla can't really swim at all but she will jump in, go under, and doggie paddle around with her "floaty suit" all day long.

We went to the Franklin Rec. Center. They're the cheapest lessons I've found but I don't know that I will return. We're going to try someone else later this summer.

Anyway, Grace loved it. Lyla pretty much loved it. She still said she didn't want to go each morning but she said it was because she didn't get to do what she wanted to do! That's Lyla for you! She is definitely her own person. She did very well in the lessons too. Poor little Reesi had some trouble enjoying the lessons. She is the one to the left of Lyla in the picture above. She is still scared of putting her face in the water and that caused her major stress. Joni had to resort to bribery each day to get her in the water. Hopefully by the end of the summer she'll be more comfortable in the water.