Yesterday, Claire had her very first swimming lesson! This was much anticipated by all involved. Okay, truth be told, Daddy was only slightly excited compared to Momma and Claire, but that’s because he doesn’t get to go frolick in the pool in the middle of the day. 
You have to be at least 3-yrs old to be enrolled in these particular lessons, so Claire was anxiously awaiting her birthday in November. Enrollment for the next class didn’t start until December, but as soon as the enrollment period opened up, I jumped at the chance. I enrolled Claire in two four-week sessions. The first class is the Tadpole class and the next level up is the Minnow. In order to get the class dates/times we want, they advised me to go ahead and enroll for both levels back-to-back, assuring me that it would be easy to adjust that if necessary.
Just like her Young Preschooler Class, I wasn’t sure how this would go, but I couldn’t wait to try it! She’s confident, balanced and enthusiastic, but she’s also three…so every day is a new day. Plus, this is her first swimming class. I’ve taken her swimming on a regular basis since she was 6-months old, but every other experience at the pool has been unstructured, unfettered, and carefree. I was so curious to see how she’d do in a class-setting.
I’m extremely happy to report that the first swimming lesson went swimmingly!
In fact, the class went a little too well. She now wants to go to swimming lessons every day, and she didn’t want to leave. Luckily, we’ll be going every Tuesday and Thursday for the next two months, so she won’t have to wait a whole week after each class like she does for “school.”
There are four little girls in her class, and they all seem to be at the same confidence level in the water, which is nice. None of the girls had problems putting their faces in the water, blowing bubbles, kicking, splashing, or practicing and learning the various things with the teacher. And, Claire only had to be reminded a couple times to turn around and pay attention, and the teacher did it in such a nice, patient way that I could tell that she not only really likes her job, but she’s really good at it, too.
I mean, she single-handedly kept four little über-excited swimmers focused and happy for almost half-an-hour…and she did it with a huge smile on her face.
Claire responded really well to her teacher and the class, and if this first lesson is any indication, I just know she’s going to learn a lot and have a great time doing it. I had a great time, and I was just watching.
In fact, I can’t wait for the next class!
Is it Thursday yet? Huh!? Huh!? Huh!? I can’t wait for Thursday! 
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My only problem with the little swim lessons here in Colorado is MOM has to be in the water too! That means in the dead of winter I have to put a swim suit on, shave, swim with toddlers, shower in the middle of the day, and so on and so on and so on….I did one session with each child…then vowed to never do it again. This year Hailey will be old enough for summer lessons at the neighborhood pool where mommy sits in the sun and watches!!! YEAH!
With these lessons, you don’t have to be in the water! In fact, they don’t want you in the water with them. I wore my swimsuit anyway, and will for the rest of the sessions, because we’re allowed to play in the pool after our sessions are done…and I’m a sucker for the pool…even in the cold!
Sometimes I yearn for the days when I was home with a toddler, but posts about swimming lessons make me glad that time is over. I always felt very claustrophobic sitting in that hot pool area keeping a hawk eye on my child in case she drowned while the teacher wasn’t looking. I’m nuts
glad to hear the lessons are going well! btw, i tagged you for a meme. no obligations.
XUP, you’re not nuts. i’m so happy they allow parents to be nearby these days. when i took lessons at a community college in the early’80s, parents had to stay in an observation deck four flights up with a thick glass window. so when my teacher wasn’t paying attention no one heard my friend’s mom screaming and pounding on the window until i had flailed all the way to the deep end and almost had drowned. now they have onsite lifeguards and parents are allowed poolside.
XUP: I’m not sure if you’d like this pool or not…it’s HUGE. (Zero-depth pool with play-equipment, more then one deeper pool, hot-tub areas, etc.) So, you wouldn’t feel claustrophobic, per se, but on the other hand, there is a LOT to take in. I’m really enjoying this time with Claire! There are a ton of lifeguards; her teacher seems very skilled, and I’m *right there* if I need to be.
Cadiz: I’m so sorry you had that happen to you!! And, I can only imagine how terrified your mom was! How horrible!