Swimming Lessons at "the outdoor pool"

This week the boys (& I) have had swimming lessons each morning from 9-9:50. We didn't go today because Carson and I have colds. It isn't easy to keep kleenex handy in the pool! Carson's nose sometimes runs like a faucet.

Andrew is in a class with other children and 2-3 life guards. At the same time, I am in a parent/child class with Carson. Carson's class is more about playing in the water and getting used to the water. I try to keep an eye on Andrew too.

When I singed them up for the lessons, we weren't sure what level to put Andrew in. We put him in level 2 so he would be challenged and if they needed to lower him to level 1 they could. The first day he was one of the younger kids in level 2. It seemed like he was doing ok, from the glances I would take in his direction. There were 2 female life guards and one male life guard in this class. The male just seemed so rough with the kids! After all this is swimming lessons for 3-8 year olds, not high school football practice!! At one point, I looked over and saw him sternly grab Andrew by one arm and put him back along the side of the pool. Perhaps Andrew deserved that, I don't know. I also saw him "helping" other children to float on their backs and the children did not look comfortable ~ I couldn't tell if they were crying or not.

I was enjoying Carson's class, playing with him and the other kids. I looked up and saw one of the female life guards carrying Andrew over to the level 1 class and he was crying really hard. I watched to see how he would adjust in the level 1 but he continued to cry. So I went over there. He said he didn't want to go under. I didn't see what happened, I sort of wish I had. He continued to cry a little but then eventually did ok and Carson and I could return to our class.

Perhaps I am being too sensitive about it, too protective. But I did not like the way this young man handled the kids. Andrew had never met him before and he was just way too rough. I don't know who was "encouraging" Andrew to go under but clearly he was upset by it. I was concerned that Andrew would be afraid to go back to swimming lessons, afraid of the water. He loves the water and I don't want him to feel pressured to do something he isn't comfortable with.

Andrew did fine on Tues. and Wed. in the level 1 class. In fact it is probably better that he is in that level, more age appropriate for him and fun. We have swimming lessons Mon.-Thurs. of next week too. Maybe he will get comfortable enough to go under or "do a bob" as the life guards refer to it as.