Swimming part two

Since last post, Henry is doing quite well. He still has a hoarse voice, but I don't think it bothers him. I'm trying to lay off giving into his every demand. I even let him cry out this morning (okay, well I got him the first time, but definetly not the second). Because he was doing so great, I took him to swimming lessons.

It has been a great goal of mine to take Henry to swimming lessons. I wanted to do it earlier, but my crazy schedule and Aaron's hate for the water prevented this. I actually signed up for a course once, but it was canceled because Henry and I were the only swimmers. Anyway, 2 weeks ago swimming lessons started at the YMCA 2 blocks from our house.

The first lesson went pretty bad. I think the water was a little cool and Henry was definetly not into it. He kept pointing at the shore and fussing. There were 4 other kids there and they were doing all the things they were supposed to do (blowing bubbles, floating on their back, getting their face in the water). I tried to keep up, but it made Henry cling even closer to me. I did dunk him in the water at the very end, and he came up screaming. That's how we left the last session.

Today, Henry freely walked into the water. He was a little hesitant initially and didn't want to get too deep, so we hung out in the shallow end. Eventually the instructor gave Henry a little plastic duck the all the rules changed. He was willing to grab the duck underwater and go swim to the duck (by me holding him on his belly in the water). We played a game where we set the duck on the edge and said "bye" and then later swam back to him and said "hi." He loved it and started smiling and laughing. After he was in a good mood he was able to stick his chin in the water, blow bubbles and even briefly float on his back. He was having real fun all thanks to the "daa" (imagine 1st three fingers to the mouth making a duck sign). Today I think we made a real breakthrough and I look forward to next week. Hopefully Aaron can join us and even enjoy himself too.

There are research studies showing that children who have swimming lessons are less likely to drown. That in itself is a reason to continue. Having fun another good reason.

Henry is going to be a great swimmer someday. Maybe next week we'll have pictures.

Oh, and by the way Aaron is starting to turn the corner on his illness too. Luckily my schedule is crazy good and I have a willing mother-in-law to help us out when we need Henry help.