Swimming Lessons

Matthew. Our child who loved water so much at the age of six months that he would lay back in a pool, float his chubby legs to the surface, and suck his thumb. Alas, the boy has turned three and has decided that getting water anywhere near his face is akin to torture. He has developed a fear of the water, something I would never have thought possible.

We are a "water" family. We love the beach. We sail (though not recently with the children so very small). We swim at every given opportunity. Matt's new fear of water had to be conquered, and quickly. Enter the YMCA, and child friendly parent-child swim classes.

Matt still won't let water get anywhere near his ears. He won't put his head under the water, and he most certainly won't jump into the pool. But he no longer screams, "Daddy, HELP ME!" the entire class. And he will swim independently with a floatie pack and a swim noodle. I guess we could call that progress!