Dylan in happier times at our local pool
I don't think I've mentioned Dylan's bust of a swim class. This summer he seemed to love getting in the water so much that we decided we'd sign him up for swim class in the fall. We started class the Saturday we got back from the U.S. in September. Things did not get off to a good start. Dylan was the youngest one in the class, which meant he also was the least interested in following directions (could have been an age thing or maybe it's just his personality, but in any situation where one has to follow directions and can't just be "free," he rebels). Where I come from, the people who teach swimming are usually young (like even high-school age) whereas this teacher was in her 60s. No problem there in theory. I love nonnas. But I think Dylan would have responded better to someone young and dynamic. This woman was all about "throw them in the deep end and let them fend for themselves." Dylan did not respond to that at all and soon swim class became a nightmare. When we'd merely mention that we had to go to swim class on Saturday, he'd start saying "home, mommy, pizza." He usually went with Cristiano, and I told him that when he came home, I'd have pizza for lunch. He'd start crying as soon as he got to the pool and continue saying "mommy" and "pizza" the whole time. Let's not even talk about the mandatory swim cap. Finally I decided to go instead of Cristiano to see if maybe he'd do better with me. The teacher started off by having us do an exercise where we "abandoned" the kids in the middle of the pool and made them paddle a few strokes to us. We couldn't reach our arms out to them or anything but had to stand impassively in the water and make them swim to us. ALL of the kids were hysterical, the respective moms and dads in the water highly uncomfortable and this teacher was barking orders at a bunch of two-year-olds like they were in the military. I decided not to take him back there, but in five classes, the damage was done. Now Dylan hates water and the pool. I hope he gets over it quickly.
5 comments:
I'd like to talk about the mandatory swim cap...
Oh no ... poor chicken! I had a terrible teacher when I was a little older than Dylan, and she ruined swimming for me for a while too. I hope he gets over it soon!
OMG - Yes, the swim cap could have been the deal killer.
Kerstin - I will be really angry if this woman put him off water/swimming. He was so fearless in the water last summer. I just saw your growing little man - is he turning into a redhead? Cute!
Wow that is just AWFUL! SOunds like swim classes run along the same lines as their outdated school methods. My GRANDMOTHER c 1930 was 'taught' to swim in that manner. Needless to say she hardly ever entered the water. Poor Dylan!
Vanessa
Thanks! He is pretty gorgeous, if I do say so myself ... Ha, I hope he's not turning into a redhead, I'd have a difficult time explaining that :)
For what it's worth, I got over my dread of swimming as soon as I stopped going to those classes, and loved getting into the pool again. I hope Dylan enjoys it again soon.
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