He took an 8-week fitness class at our gym and he loved it and did really well.
Now he's enrolled in a basketball skills class and had his first class last night and loved it.
He also takes swimming lessons.
He's never had formal lessons, but can swim like a fish.
His instructor could not believe he is self-taught.
This week they decided he's too advanced for his class and they're bumping him up TWO levels.
Yes, I'm a proud mama.
But, he asked me a question the other day about why I don't like swimming.
I told him the truth.
He actually felt so bad for me he cried.
When I was 9 years old my mother enrolled me in swimming lessons. I had never ever been in a large pool or a lake or ocean. I was terrified. I can remember my teacher's name was Sal and he had red hair. I remember my mother walking up to the teacher and telling him to push me in the water and I'd learn to swim real quick. I remember my mother embarrassing me and humiliating me by calling me a baby and telling me how disappointed she was in me. I've never liked swimming. But I can still hear her voice and feel the embarrassment of that moment.
I had forgotten about that moment in my past.
I must have buried it deep inside somewhere.
My children? They all swim and have taken lessons to be life guard certified.
Me? I'm thinking that maybe it's about time I took swimming lessons.
Maybe someday I will swim as well as my son.
Maybe he'll be on the swim team someday.
Regardless, I'm proud of him. He's stepping outside of his box and showing himself that he can.
6 comments:
Good for Thomas! Zack has been asking for a "swim class" ... as we see the pool every week at the rec center before his art class. Ben HATED swim lessons but I think Zack might be more willing to give it a go ... we'll see.
Tanya, whose Dad was taught to swim by his father throwing him in a lake
Suzann~~~
I am so sorry that you had to go through that sort of humiliation and lack of support when you were so young. It makes me a little angry too, but I know that we mothers know so much more than our own mothers when it comes to effective parenting.
I hope you do get in the water, I can't swim and I live on a lake! lol!!
Happy Wednesday to you! :-)
xoxo
Janie
Suzann:
I'm so happy for your little man, and I just know that you'll be swimming like a fish some day.
It's always interested me how we end up with these "committees of voices" from our past...and how long it takes us to gain control over them, instead of the other way around. You can do it! (I keep trying, too.)
Hugs,
Donna
How wonderful for your son and how aware he is of feelings...that is so great and he seems like a great son!! One thing I love about kids is that they help us get over what was hard for us by succeeding in it ~ you know what I mean? I bet you are proud!
Can you even believe what some mothers will do? My mom's mom was the same way; not a mothering bone in her body...somehow, my mom turned out fairly okay, but her younger brother, notsomuch.
Good for you for being the kind of mom that you are. I think it's awesome how you are helping your kids explore different activities and you are setting a great example yourself, you know!
How sweet is Thomas? I love that he was so sympathetic...he's gonna be a great man someday!
How sweet is this, a proud mommy as you should be!! this is great...I am so sorry about your experience in the pool, and maybe through your children you can find strength to overcome your fear and those bad memories...children do teach us a lot about ourselves don't they! thanks for sharing!! congrats to your son, I am sure he will do well!
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