Le swim, and drama update
So last term we signed Noah up for real swim lessons - in a group of 6, with two instructors. I had trouble getting into the interface on the critical day (swim lesson registration starts at 7 am and is basically over before 9 am) so we ended up at a local pool in a high school, which meant it had old tile, and was over Noah’s head except where the instructors created a little platform using the wheelchair lift.
It wasn’t a disaster by any means, but it wasn’t a great experience. The boys were kind and caring, up until the last few weeks of class when they seemed to focus pretty exclusively on getting the kids to pass. Noah wasn’t quite ready to pass and eventually this led to a dunking incident (no one’s fault, more just Noah slipping) and some tears. Also, Noah slipped on the tile floor in the change room and got a pretty serious concussion. (Which was one of several reasons he was ‘behind’ at passing-the-level time.)
So this term I signed him up at a better pool and for private 15 minute lessons (the city helps make this relatively inexpensive as far as private swim lessons go). Today was the first day and he really did not want to go. He asked us to cancel the lesson last night and this morning.
So here’s what we did. I said he didn’t have to swim, but he did have to go to the pool and meet his teacher and let him/her (turns out to be a her) know. And that we would bring along his swim stuff just in case. Then Carl and I both shared our early lessons, and also all the things we can do since we know how to swim (kayak, canoe, windsurf, etc.)
Sure enough, once we got there and he saw the other kids, he went along nervously. And then when he saw his teacher he was really happy. She was wearing a hijab (as well as a full-body suit) and honestly I think he finds that comforting. I think I do too at this point…it’s funny how our prejudices develop.
~~~
For the drama, my parents are apparently speaking to me again. Nothing changed but time.
We are going out for my birthday tonight (tomorrow is the actual day) and I have slid back into not dealing with it - yet. I do want to take it up with them that they can’t do this.
But I’m not quite sure how to do it, and I haven’t had the energy to sort it out. This is where it would be helpful to be in therapy.
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Happy Birthday to us! We’re probably going out tonight, too.
The right swim instructor makes a big difference, so I’m glad Noah and you like this new one.
My preferred technique for that 7 am registration is to both hit redial on the phone and refresh on the browser repeatedly. It worked, until this September, when they saved money by not sending out the booklets and I had no idea when the registration was until it passed. (We got in off the waitlist for a great ski program in the end, happily.)
On the parent drama, oy. I’m glad it was short-lived, anyway. Do you read Maeve’s blog? Her parents pulled something similar recently except it lasted a year. Like yours, it ended with no acknowledgment at all. (Email me if you need the link.)