Swim Lessons Day 1

Matt and I recently signed Anne up for swim lessons.  I've been terrified by the number of stories on the news lately about drowning victims.  Growing up with a pool in our backyard, I've always been comfortable in the water and want to make sure Anne feels the same way.  I remember swimming while my father watched us and fussed because we weren't using the best freestyle form even though we were playing.  I still hear him say, "Put your face down."

I did some research and read some reviews of a woman named, Ms. Cathy, who's been teaching lessons in Austin for many, many years.  There were great reviews from parents on how their children had learned to swim by the end of the 10 lessons. My main concern at this point is just making sure Anne is safe and can get out of a pool should she fall in when no one is around.  I don't plan on that ever happening, but safety first, people!

Today was Anne's first lesson.  She's signed up for 30 minute group lessons that will conclude on Thursday, July 18th.

Mentally, I thought I had prepared myself for it.  I knew she would cry.  I knew she would scream.  However, there is nothing that could prepare me to throw my 16-month old child into a pool.  Parents line up with their kids and the first few times, Ms. Cathy takes your child and pushes their face underwater as them swim to the steps where parents meet their kids to get back in line.  Anne screamed after the first time in the water.  Next, parents throw their kids in the water where Ms. Cathy directs them to swim to steps, next she pushes them to the bottom and they swim up and to the steps.

Overall, it was emotionally exhausting.  I cried and tried not to let Anne see how hard it was for me.  She went into "koala-pose" and latched onto my side, my arm and my leg, anything to keep me from putting her back in the water.  Other kids were screaming and trying to get away from their parents.  Thankfully, the lesson only last 30 minutes and she assures us that the worst is behind us.

However, the last time I put her in the water, she swam all the way to the steps, underwater and by herself.  I could tell that it was working and I loved watching her little left leg kick as she swam to the steps.  I would cheer for her and she would even stop crying for a moment to clap before crying again.

I'm glad we're doing this; however, it's hard.  I know it will be good for her and by the end of next week, she'll be able to safely swim and get out of a pool.

My goal is to blog about her progress over the next 10 days and hopefully have a video to show at the end.  I can assure you that today's video wouldn't have been fun to watch as I held back the tears and threw my baby girl into a pool.  I'm proud of her and right now, she's forgotten all about it and looking through a stack of magazines.