Conquering the Pool

We are lucky enough to have our community pool about four houses down from us.  Super convenient, right?  A luxury!  But to be honest, this summer I was dreading it.

I was SCARED.  No other way to put it.  I knew we would have to go to the pool because, come on, it's right there, and what kind of parent would I be if I denied my children of their summer of leisure?  But I had major doubts about my ability to watch both kids simultaneously by myself.

Casey is a runner.  He has no fear and will basically run face first into the pool if left to his own devices. And Braden?  At 3.5 he has a healthy dose of fear, but that doesn't seem to stop him from jumping, running, and drinking pool water.  Between the two of them, it seemed I would be facing a constant game of Sophie's choice.

At the beginning of the summer, I only went to the pool when I had someone else with me - my husband, a friend, a visiting relative.  But then I realized that was ridiculous.  I saw other women alone with two plus children - if they could do it, why not me?  I resolved to tackle the pool solo.

I took control.  I psyched myself up.  I could DO this.  I got kickboards, pool toys, life jackets, and then the big guns - swim lessons.

I figured if Braden could learn to swim, then my nerves could calm a bit.  With Casey always being on the run, there is always an inevitable five seconds or so that I have to look away.  And if I could be assured that during those five seconds Braden would not sink to the bottom of the pool to his demise, the pool experience would be a lot more enjoyable for all of us.

It wasn't easy at first.  Braden doesn't like to be told what to do.  Which I am sure is typical of a lot of kids, but BRADEN REALLY DOESN'T LIKE TO BE TOLD WHAT TO DO.  As in, if you tell him to do something, he will insist on doing the opposite.  Combine this with the fact that at the beginning of the summer he couldn't swim at all and was petrified of getting his face wet, and the swim instructor certainly got her money's worth.  But the result is pretty incredible, and makes me one proud momma.



Now I am at the pool solo with my two boys almost every day.  It's not so hard, you know?  Braden is loving it.  Casey not so much.  But all in due time, all in due time.