(June 21, 2011)
Cooper took swimming lessons this summer. Friends had mentioned that the city gave affordable group swimming lessons, so we thought, "why not?". Cooper may have answered that question for us...
He pretty much hated them.
The good news is that my friend
Millie and her girls were there with me, in the 90+ degree heat. So, while the big kids were having their lessons, Millie and I got to hang out with the little girls under the shade. That is, when I wasn't walking back and forth to calm Cooper down. ;)
Annabelle didn't like relaxing in her stroller quite as much as her buddy Finley (above). She is certainly voicing and demonstrating her opinions lately! Loudly. She had fun though, climbing all over the benches trying out her new walking skills.
Cooper, on the other hand...
After a lot of fearful tears, sitting on the edge of the pool was just fine.
Of course, the noodles were a big hit because they could be used in a weapon-like manner. At least he was attacking the water and not the cute girl in the yellow swim shirt!
Everything was good until Miss Jessica made her way down the line, inviting each child into the water to practice a technique... blowing bubbles, floating, using a kick-board, etc. Though some kids (like our friend Grayson in the green!) were excited for their turn....
Cooper lived in fear of it. Dread. Loathing. Look at that face! And the way he is clutching onto her shirt! He hated it.
I have to be honest. In the midst of the 4 days of lessons, I wasn't the most compassionate mom. When he started throwing a fit about going in the water or flipping out about having to blow bubbles, I wanted to (and often did) roll my eyes and sigh more than comfort him. I was tempted to say "get over it" and "don't be a wuss", though thankfully I managed to keep that nastiness inside. That is embarrassing to even write.
Cooper has always been (and, I suppose, will always be) a cautious person. He can have extreme fear over the first time of doing almost anything, and then be crazy & reckless the next moment without so much as a second thought. He just needs to know he can do it.
What I want is to be a mom who is a cheerleader. I want to push him, to encourage him, to challenge him, but I want to demonstrate ever so clearly that I love him and value him no matter what. If he never swims a day in his life, if he is trapped and bound by fear, I want to boldly fight with him against those lies. But, regardless of the outcome, he must know that he is no less of a treasure.
Being a mom is so humbling. My selfishness and sin just ooze out of me, and I am reminded often of how little I resemble the God I serve. Thankfully, He doesn't give up on me. He uses anything and everything- including swim lessons- to hold up a mirror to my heart and help root out the grossness that is in me. And He reminds me that, because of His grace and mercy, I am no less of a treasure to Him.
