Swimming Lessons {video}

Now that we have a pool right out our back door, Savannah wants to go swimming every single day. Hudson has always loved going outside, but now he likes to go right to the pool...fully dressed in non-swimming clothes. I hear of way too many stories about kids falling in while no adults are looking and end up drowning or being seriously injured from lack of oxygen for too long. So, while having a swimming pool is so wonderful during these hot summer months, it also brings about a lot of worry for me. 

We already have door alarms on all of our doors to alert me when a door opens. While the doors are usually locked all day and neither Savannah or Hudson know how to unlock them {yet}, it is nice to have the door alarm just in case. We had a fence installed around our pool and the majority of our back yard, but we also put up our own fence between the house and pool. This way, the kids can still play outside without someone constantly chasing them away from the pool. 

But even with all of the safety measures taken, the bottom line is that I want my kids to know how to swim as soon as possible! Or at the very least, be able to make their way to the side of the pool, should they fall in, and hold on to the pool edge. 

Savannah took swimming lessons for the first time just after she turned one. Those were pretty pointless. She wasn't in a pool on a regular basis to really apply anything that was taught. And she was simply too young to comprehend much in the way of swimming.

Last summer, Hudson was a newborn so we pretty much never even went to a pool. So with a new pool in our back yard and Savannah having just turned three, I figured this was a good time to give swimming lessons a real try.

Luckily for us, one of our neighbors {Ms. Debra} across the street has taught swimming lessons for over 30 years. We know and trust her and she was more than willing to come over each morning Monday-Thursday for 30 minutes sessions to teach Savannah. To cut the cost in half, we invited our friend, Phinley, to come join the lessons. He turns 3 in July, but his mom, Alyssa, was wanting him to take swimming lessons this summer, too. So it worked out great for both of us!

Day 1:

I stayed outside to watch and listen. Savannah did fine with that. Phinley kept calling for his mommy, so Alyssa had to stay inside and watch out the windows.
Savannah isn't afraid of the being out in the water, but usually with the comfort of having her floaties on. Phinley was not a fan of being out in the pool (where he couldn't touch) at all. Ms. Debra spent a little time just getting the kids to be comfortable with her and being in the water. Then, she taught them how to hold on to the edge of the pool and work their way around the whole pool. There were several tears and a little protesting, but by the end of the 30 minute class, the kids were fine.

Day 2:

Caleb was home this morning, so he got to watch the swimming lessons. There was a little more protesting today and I wasn't able to stay outside to watch. Ms. Debra started out with letting the kids hold on to the edge of the pool and go all the way around. Then she started letting them lay on their back while she helped to keep them afloat. She kept telling them that the water will 'hold them up'. I think she was just trying to get them to understand that they will not always have to go under water {eventually}. She also let them practice kicking. She taught them the 'bubble game' to help them comprehend holding their breath while under water. Then, towards the end of class, she let Savannah go to see how well she would kick and get herself above water. 

FAIL.

Savannah couldn't do it. All it did was upset her. Cause her to choke {from inhaling water} and ultimately not want to do anything the rest of class time. Caleb was ready to run outside, rescue Savannah, quit the lessons and try again next year. Ms. Debra reassured us that this was 'normal' and that Savannah would be swimming by the end of the week. So, we trust her and continued with...


Day 3: 
When I took Savannah's swimsuit in her room this morning to get her dress, the protests started. She did NOT want to swim, she did NOT want to play the 'bubble game' and she definitely did NOT want Ms. Debra to come over. I worked my way though that little fit and then got her to the table to eat her breakfast. That is where she was when Ms. Debra knocked on the back door {which is all glass and right back our kitchen table}. Savannah lost it. The tears started and grabbed on to me for dear life. She was not excited to go swimming. I was getting a little worried that we were making her more fearful of the water rather than helping anything. But, I knew I had to just make it through 2 more days of lessons.

Ms. Debra had her hands full today, that's for sure. Caleb was home again this morning. He, Alyssa and I all huddled around with windows to watch was would happen. Both kids were crying, screaming at times, and the three of us felt completely helpless. Ms. Debra was stern, but not mean. She made them obey, which was good. Through the cries and tears, Savannah and Phinley took turns working their way around the pool by holding on to the edge. Then they started playing the bubble game. They came up out of the water coughing a few times, but always went again when it was their turn. As if they knew they could do it and weren't really afraid any more. Maybe this was the break through!

Day 4:
Today started out pretty much the same as Day 3 did. Crying and protesting. Most of the class time was spent playing the 'bubble game' and both Savannah and Phinley were doing it! Ms. Debra would take them into the pool, about 2-3 feet away from the edge, then give them a little push and let go of them. They were probably only under water for 3-4 seconds, but they made it to the edge and were able to pull their head above water. Without coughing, choking or crying! By the end of the class time, Ms. Debra waived to Alyssa and I to come out to watch. 

I was able to video what had been accomplished in just 4 days of 30 minute lessons. Watch for yourself to see how awesome they do.

I am so glad that I did these lessons for Savannah now. At this age. This is definitely something that we needed someone else to do. Like Ms. Debra said, they expect mommy and daddy to keep them safe, so when they were feeling afraid, having mommy and daddy be 'tough' would not have gone over too well. And I don't think my heart could have let me do this as good as Ms. Debra did. It was tough watching my little girl be sad during these lessons, but I know it was worth it all in the end! It helps me worry a little less when we're out in or around the pool. And I can't wait to see how well she is swimming by the end of this summer!