Mia's first swimming lesson

Oh my baby girl.  Swimming should be fun, not tears!  My heart breaks into a million pieces.  I just want you to be happy!

Mia was super excited - ever since I told her yesterday that she's going to go swimming, and that she's going to swim with another lady, and that mommy will sit on the side and be close and watch everything.  She was so so cute this morning when we dressed her in her swimming nappy and her pretty orange cozzie, and at first she hated the silicone swimming cap, but luckily I found a lycra one, which was much easier to put on and more comfy for her.

She was fine when we arrived at the swim school, and we were early for her class, so we sat for ten minutes watching the other class, Mia was so good, sitting by me.  As soon as the lady said Mia could come, she went to her immediately, no fear.  She got in on the step, she looked at the water toys, the lady took her into the water, and Mia kicked happily.  She crawled along the length of the step.  I was amazed!  It was going so well!  But then... two more kids arrived to join in the class.  And Mia did not like having to sit on the step and wait for her turn.  The one other little girl was crying - and that set Mia off too.  Oh when her lil precious mouth turns downwards, and she looked like she was trying to keep the tears in and then couldn't, it breaks me into pieces! I just wanted to scoop her out of the water and run away. 

She wouldn't stop crying, so the teacher let her get out and come and sit by me - on me - I was sopping wet, but i didn't mind!  We tried once more to put Mia in the water, she didn't want to go in. The teacher said it's fine, we can just watch the rest of the class, but on Wednesday she must be in the water.  At the end of the class, the teacher said I must just persevere, it's going to be about 3 weeks of tears.  Twice a week, such an ordeal?  I don't think so!  Yes, she needs to learn to swim, but swimming must be a fun experience too, not traumatic.

I hope we can cancel these classes at this swim school, I haven't paid yet...  I'm waiting to hear back from another swim school, where the moms can swim with the kids - I think that will suit Mia much better.  Hopefully she has space available for us.

Afterwards I asked Mia if swimming was nice, she said, "no mommy."  :-(  I asked her if we can swim at another place and I'll swim with her, and she liked the sound of that, luckily.

My little sensitive person!
xx