Turning Dominic into a Duckling - November
Welcome to my latest update on the aquatic activities of my terrible-two-tantrum-tastic-toddler, Dominic. I hope you are continuing to enjoy our story!
This month, as well as our usual weekly swimming lessons Dominic has had an experience that many swimmers much longer in the tooth would no doubt have enjoyed. Whilst on half term break we went on holiday to Cornwall and the cottages had an Endless Pool as part of the free facilities.
...in lessons the demon within seems to be kept in check! ... As all mums know the little red horns can return in the blink of an eye. (No Halloween costume required!)
After togging him up in his wetsuit to avoid any teeth chattering episodes I sat him on the side of the pool. He watched Daddy swim against the current. He was fascinated but it took a lot of persuasion before he would take the plunge himself. Once equipped with his favourite flotation aid the woggle, he eventually got up enough confidence to paddle himself around the small pool.
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Elder brother Elliot was already screeching with delight when Daddy held him in the current for stroke practice. When it was Dominic’s turn, he too found it great fun. He also enjoyed holding on to the side and kicking his legs as the current washed over them. This was the start of many visits to the pool over our week’s break - a brilliant way to keep up their interest in learning to swim. It was a good test too for the future to show that they would enjoy a typical poolside based hot weather holiday next year.
Progress in our swimming lessons back at home has been good. He is responding well to requests from the teacher instead of wanting to do his own thing. This is pretty amazing given the development stage he is at. At home if he doesn’t get his own way we get tantrums and tears most often. Drinks or food are requested only to be tossed angrily away. But in lessons the demon within seems to be kept in check! Well this month anyway. As all mums know the little red horns can return in the blink of an eye. (No Halloween costume required!)
He is also getting better at jumping in, he will do this from standing now instead of sitting on the side although he still needs to hold my hand. But he is still not at all happy lying on his back. His legs stick up at 90 degrees and he just can’t relax. I wonder if it is getting water in his ears that is the problem. It must be somehow related to getting his head wet. If he wore a swim hat would this help? Any feedback welcome!
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