Splishin' and Splashin': Nolan's First Swimming Lesson

Several weeks ago I started trying to think of a way to get Nolan in the water. You see, I was a little...slow...learning how to swim. My parents would probably choose different words. Words like difficult, violent, stubborn, terrified, etc. Swimming 'lessons' for me are the stuff of legends. Like the time I clawed my dad's chest and screamed for the lifeguard at a public pool. Or the time I thought my mom literally was trying to kill me by not letting me grab onto the side. Or the time I ran behind my grandmother when my dad tried to make me swim (grandma's always protect you from mean old daddy). Or the time I learned to swim, then 'forgot.' My poor parents.

Anyway, each kid is different and maybe there's nothing you can do, but in an effort to at least try to avoid this nightmare with Nolan we've tried to get him used to the water early. As soon as he could sit up by himself in the bath we started dumping water on his head. At first we just poured a small amount. He coughed and spluttered a bit, but he was ok. Now we dump a whole cup full on his head and he loves it!

I found some classes at the Holladay Lion's Rec Center just down the street from our apartment and have been so excited for the classes to start. I really thought he'd like it, but it seems I underestimated exactly how much he would like it! He looked so comfortable in the water, wasn't scared at all, and loved splashing around.

This is a beginner class (the youngest a child can be is 6 months) so they really just focus on trying to get the child comfortable in the water and establish safety for both parents and children in the pool. One great point she made is that no one is drown proof. It doesn't matter how much you are around water, you are never drown proof. You can only work on drown prevention. Always watch your children in the pool, don't look at your phone!

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 Sitting with dad in his new trunks, all ready to get in the pool!

   Mom learning how to safely get a baby that can move, but doesn't understand the dangers of the pool, into the water.

 The instructor using Nolan to demonstrate one of the concepts

 Trying to get him to look at daddy for a picture, but he was too busy splashing!

 

 He was literally splashing the entire time she was instructing!! In fact, she commented a couple times about how much fun he was having haha!

  Learning how it feels to have his ears under the water

  

Splishin' and Splashin' - this is probably the most descriptive picture on how the class went :)

 Getting out (of course he wanted right back in though)

I think we've got a little fish!!