It is hard to watch your child struggle at something so much that they start tearing up. You just want to swoop them up and take them out of the situation that is causing them to get so upset.
Last Monday was swimming class for the kids. We took them out for the summer, and when I registered them I put Kailan down a class level. He had a super tough time last session and we knew it was the right thing to do for him. Anya on the other hand was doing great. Her teacher was impressed at how good she was for her age and didn’t think we would have a problem with her moving up to the next level.
Unfortunately, she seems to have forgotten everything over the summer.
The class went from her struggling, to her telling us she couldn’t do it, to her crying when it was her turn, to her not even wanting to get off the swim bench. *sigh* We were right there telling her she could do it (she has!) and trying to reassure her. She is suffering from a severe lack in confidence of her abilities. 🙁
On one hand I want to pull her out and put her in the level below again. On the other I want her to work a bit and get back to where she was before the summer started. I don’t want to give up too easily without trying. This week we will be practicing kicking on the bed and maybe that big ole bathtub will be filled more than normal so she can remember how to float.
If we have to pull her out she may not be doing swimming this session. We take the kids at the same time to minimize the running around. There isn’t another class that same night at the level below the one she is in right now. There is only so much running around we are willing to do with the kids. She already has a dance class once a week, so at least she does have something she is participating in. We’ll see how it goes…
Better days…last winter when swimming was FUN.
I know- it is so hard watching them struggle. And V is mine who gets SO frustrated when she just can’t get something. Do you pay montly or by the session? I might just stick it out for a couple more classes. She’s been away from it for awhile, she just might need some time to remember.
Aww… I hope she “accidentally” finds one thing that she remembered was fun and it helps her jump back into the pool.
(Can I interject here that I learned to swim via a “Water Babies” program, where they lock mothers behind a chainlink fence outside of the pool, blow in their infant’s face, and throw the babies into the water? Yes, my mother was terrified that I’d drown in my grandmother’s pool and this was the only solution… sure glad you’re going the “encouraging” route with Anya!)
Hi Stac!! Thanks so much for your words of encouragement! I have to tell ya, I have picked up some hobbies… I was praying one day, no actually.. crying out one day to God… and a thought popped in my head, ” Amy, you have GOT to get yourself a hobby!!” So that is when photography, blogging and music started. It’s stinkin’ hard some days, especially when the trials just seem to keep going on and on… but I know that if I keep on coming to the One Who sees the greater picture, He keeps me grounded!
So so appreciate you! Thankyou again!! hugs… Amy
This post gives me fears! Ella starts swimming class next week and I am anxious to see how she does….Although I signed her and my hubby up so that they could have more time together. It is only 4 weeks, but I think I will stay away until the last session so she can concentrate. Usually having Mommy around turns her into a ball of fears, knowing that I will come rescue her at any time! Growing up is so hard to do. I hope Anya starts to have more confidence in herself and remember how much fun she had before….If not for her sake, yours! :0)
I know exactly how you feel. It is so frustrating because you know they can do it, but your motherly instinct kicks in because you don’t want them to be upset. Hopefully next week will be better.
We had EXACTLY this scenario with the BA when she was just 4. In the Spring in the UK she had been throwing herself wholeheartedly into the head under the water thing, going for broke, then we went to Australia for 4 weeks, where it was winter so no swimming, and when we got back…you would think she’d never seen water before! And being little Miss Stubborn she took a dislike to the young swimming teacher who was being very firm about insisting she put her head under >:-( All in all it was a disaster and I gave up after 3 weeks of crying and trying to negotiate with the inexperienced swimming instructor…I think the straw that broke the camel’s back was seeing her on the side of the pool shouting at the instructor “I don’t LIKE you!”….(we parents weren’t allowed in!)Anyway, we cut that class and found another one where the instructor was calm and patient and within a few weeks of no pressure she was back to where she had been. Now she is an excellent swimmer and used to train with a squad! So I think the key is the teacher…patience and reassurance…and perhaps time to practice with you away from the formal lessons? That was good for us. We went together on a Saturday morning. Good luck with this. I know it will settle down 🙂
I hope she gains more confidence next class and starts to love swimming again! Stay strong! 🙂
Awww, poor Anya (and poor mom – what a hard thing to watch!) – hopefully the next lesson will be better!
We struggle with Colby and his lack of confidence also. It’s tough when you know your little one has the ability (and would love it if they would just go with it), but they are scared out of their socks. Good luck next class!
I hope Anya will be able to get a little confidence and make it through the Winter – she will be so glad for it next summer! So hard to watch that stuff!
Oh that is frustrating to watch. W.W. does that too sometimes. We all know he knows it, like counting to 10, but then he gets confused or distracted and then really upset when he suddenly can’t remember. That would be too bad if she misses out on swimming, but then there’s always next time. 🙂