As I stepped out of the car, the air was filled with the sounds of children wailing, calling out, “Mommy!” I walked to the back passenger door, unbuckled my son, and planted a gentle kiss on his forehead as I lifted him from his car seat. He clutched my shirt tightly and continued sucking his pacifier, seemingly unfazed by the cacophony of cries around us. I grabbed his diaper bag from the front seat and closed the car door behind us.
We approached the fence, and I unlocked the gate leading to the pool area. The swimming instructor welcomed us from her spot in the water, where she was busy with another child. I settled at a nearby picnic table, placing my son on my lap. Another parent kindly pointed me toward the file box where I could find my child’s folder. I filled out the necessary paperwork while my son watched the other children with a smile on his face. He looked content, and that brought me some comfort.
Once I changed him into his swim diaper and bathing suit, we patiently waited for his lesson to begin. The little girl who had just completed her lesson, around two years old, had cried throughout, but the instructor remained unfazed, continuing her work. In that moment, I felt a wave of relief that my son was only six months old and wouldn’t be vocalizing his displeasure in the same way.
When it was time, the instructor called us over and guided me to lay out two towels on the pool deck. I set my son down, and he eagerly kicked his feet in the water, splashing merrily. The instructor reviewed his paperwork and then picked him up, entering the pool with him. Initially, she walked him around, getting him comfortable in the water. He splashed and giggled, clearly enjoying the moment. But then, without warning, she submerged him completely. In that instant, I felt an overwhelming sense of helplessness. My heart dropped as I stood up, my son resurfacing with a scream, searching for me in distress. The instructor gently patted his back, offering him comfort as he adjusted.
Those first few days of watching my son in swimming lessons were some of the most challenging moments of my parenting journey. I was powerless to soothe him when he cried, watching as he looked to me for help while I could do nothing. I masked my worries with a smile and cheered him on every time he glanced in my direction. Deep down, I found solace in my decision to start his swim lessons at such a young age. These survival skills could potentially save his life.
The Importance of Swimming Lessons
Drowning is a silent danger; a child can drown in just an inch of water in under a minute. According to the CDC, drowning ranks as one of the leading causes of accidental deaths worldwide, particularly among children and teens. From 2005 to 2009, children aged 1-4 had the highest drowning rates in the U.S., making it the second leading cause of death for this age group.
By the end of the third day of lessons, my son had stopped crying altogether. It felt as if he was reassuring me—he understood the importance of these skills. By the end of the session, he had “graduated” from the first level, learning to float on his back and roll over when face down in the water, even while fully clothed. Though we would need to return every six months for refreshers and annual lessons to build upon what he had learned, I was confident he was on the right track.
Now, at 5 ½ years old, he loves swimming and has no recollection of those early struggles in the pool. He has developed into a confident swimmer and diver. Starting lessons at six months empowered him with vital skills, enhanced his body awareness, and instilled in him the self-assurance to tackle new challenges.
Many people thought I was unreasonable for enrolling my six-month-old in swim lessons, but I knew it was the right decision. Preventing my child from becoming a drowning statistic is paramount. Drowning is preventable through survival skills, vigilant supervision, and educating myself about water safety.
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In summary, my determination to enroll my son in swimming lessons, despite his initial resistance, was driven by a deep-seated desire to equip him with essential life-saving skills. The journey was challenging, but witnessing his transformation into a confident swimmer has made it all worthwhile.