We awoke bright and early (for Tom) and headed out to the community center. Once we were there, Tom and Shreya donned their swimming garb. There's a stated rule that only one parent gets in the pool with the tot, which might have led to conflict between Tom and me, but I had only been able to locate a very old swimsuit of mine, which looked a bit like it might fall apart any minute, so, making a virtue of necessity, I had decided to stay out of the water and take pictures and video. I still brought my old suit along, which turned out to be as well!
It was a brilliantly sunny day with clear blue skies above; just the sort of day that causes fair-skinned types to get sunburned. And the pool where the lesson was to be was an outdoor one. We decided to slather some sunscreen on Shreya, but the idea and its execution left her unimpressed and a little fussy. So when the class began and she and Tom entered the pool, I don't know whether the water was too cold for her, or she was frightened by the lack of plastic seat and backrest as in her tub, or she was alarmed by getting in the water with clothes and a diaper on, or what, but she let us know the power of her lungs, and would simply not be consoled. Occasionally she stopped her full-throated screaming (for instance, when the instructor came to take a turn with her).
Presumably all that screaming is tiring work, but she remained unhappy, and resumed screaming when she had regained her energy. Various other babies that we know were also there with their parents, and they all seemed to enjoy themselves, but this did not deter Shreya. Finally, on the grounds that she might feel more secure with Mom, I put on my decrepit swimsuit and got into the pool with them. And it is true, she was marginally calmer when I got in with her and held her very close, but she still did not enjoy herself.
Oh well, hopefully she will have a better time next week... Yes, we definitely intend to bring her again!
Home after a grueling ordeal.
She looks tired and tanned. You guys look great! :o)
ReplyDeleteKids who learn swimming early have a natural grace in the pool. I learnt that in seventh grade because there was a natural separation between Team A and Team B, and all the effort in the world would'nt get me to above a certain percentile of Team A.
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