As most of us keep postponing to take shower/bath to later time, Tanay has been no exception. And since he has his rule defined already that if he is not going out anywhere then he need not get in the bath. Of course once he is in tub filled with water and his toys, it is difficult to take him out. Those toys in water become alive and talk to him. The large bottles of shampoo and shower gel become mountain and the toy animals like to go swimming around the mountains.
He loves water, guess majority kids do. Not bothered about getting wet, not bothered about the mess. In their little world everything is perfect. No worries.
Looking at his water love and my expectation as a mother made me decide to enroll him in swimming lessons.
It was a cloudy and rainy and rainy day.
It was our first class. For this season, it was the first sight of pool for us. And looking at it, the first thing Tanay said is: 'Mommy its very deep'. Fear of depth of the 'deep' ocean was probably built by us parents and school. The fear was based on few books that were read to him umpteen times. The child's imaginations can go wild.
He sat on those steps where water could make only his tummy wet. He wanted me to get in water but I was not prepared as the class for 3-4 years old would not let the parents in the pool. I realized later that as first timer being with parent helps. He sat on those steps the entire class time and did not budge. Ms Tiffany, his teacher coaxed him every time it was his turn. The class got over and we got home. My entire drive back home was frustrating and I was sad. The frustration of things not turning out the way we want. I understood, he is just a child and if I was in his place I probably would have done the same thing. I did not say a word to him. I told myself to take it cool and that we can try next time. That whole day my thoughts kept coming back to uneventful swim session of the morning. Only fact I could think about was that I wasn't there with him in the pool and he did not go with Ms Tiffany. The real fact was he did not know Ms Tiffany, a complete stranger Tanay saw for the first time and so he did not trust her as much.
Later that evening sun was out and skies had cleared.
I asked him, do you want to go in pool with mommy, his eyes were full of excitement and he cried 'Yes'. His morning swim pants and rashguard were not dry yet. I looked for his old 2T swim clothes and tried. They were little snug but they fit. While it took sometime for me to get ready; I asked him to pack few of his toys and put it in his backpack. Then we drove less than a minute to get to our pool.
He repeated what he said in the morning: 'Its too deep Mommy, but mommy be there to help me'? 'Yes' - I answered. He first threw his duckies in water. Then we got in water - one step at a time and he clinged to me for a minute. Then he held the noodle and I held him by my side and made him float on water. I walked around in the pool two rounds with him floating by my side. He had enjoyed the ride. Then I asked him to hold the noodle tight and let him know that I am going to turn and be on his front. After he agreed and did what I told him I swung. Now him and I were facing each other and holding the noodle. He kicked and splashed. I asked him if is he having fun and I got an affirmative response.
