Swim Lesson Fail

Having a pool in our backyard, we figured it was about time that Asher learned to swim.  Although I used to teach little ones to swim, we thought it would be better for him to be with a certified teacher and not be distracted by mommy.  There was only 1 class for his skill level, and it was on Saturday morning and there were any 6 spots.  I got on line and exactly when registration opens, I successfully secured one of those six spots.  

We went to the aquatic center to show Asher around.  We showed him the pool he would have lessons in, we showed him the locker room and he was SOO excited.  We had to wait about 3 weeks before lessons started and he remained excited the whole time, always talking about his lessons and bringing the new towel that Mimi brought him.

The first lesson went great!  His teach was Ms. Margret.  We walked in and told Asher to sit on the edge with the other kids and he sat right now and didn't even look back.  He did everything Ms. Margret asked him to do and even chatted with the other kids while he was waiting his turn.

Fast forward to the following Saturday.  Asher was still excited to go and sat right down with the other kids. He participated in about half of the class and then turned around and kept calling for me.  He kept calling and calling so finally I went over there and he told me that he was all done and did not want to jump. (at the end of the first class they had each kid jump to Ms. Margret...Asher jumps to us in our pool ALL THE TIME) But for some reason he was absolutely terrified to jump to Ms. Margret.  

I was able to keep him calm and tried to get him to at least go watch the other kids jump but he was not having it.  We tried bribing him with "a frozen drink" at Target after lessons...but he was not having it.  So when the others kids got up to walk to the other side of the pool to jump...we excused ourselves and headed to the locker room.

The following week when we told him it was time to go, he did NOT want to go.  The whole car ride there we talked about it and he seemed like he might turn around and participate but of course once we got there...NO WAY NO HOW.  He would not even sit on the edge of the pool.  We tried everything, but he was crying and inconsolable and really a distraction to the other kids.  So after about 15 minutes we AGAIN excused ourselves from the lesson.

We talked about it on the way home and even through the week, he kept saying he just didn't want to jump.  We tried to explain that he didn't have to, and to just do the swimming part with Ms. Margret but....there is only so much reasoning you can do with a three year old.  

So with that, I am ashamed to say that we are Swim Lesson Drop Outs.

Nick and I have been working with him at home in our pool and building his confidence and will give swim lessons a try again...but maybe in our own pool...and probably private lessons instead of the group.