Elle’s journey continues: a love affair going swimmingly or sinking?

Elle’s journey continues: a love affair going swimmingly or sinking?

Last weekend marked the 6th week of Elle’s swimming journey. We’re about half way through the term now and feel it’s time to make a special announcement to the world…

Elle loves swimming!

At 8 months of age, her big, beautiful baby- expressions do the all talking for her. It’s obvious that her feelings about swimming are more than a passing crush too; there’s something magical about the way she coo’s when we arrive at the pool gate and sees the other families with their eager young swimmers. And the way her face lights up when she enters the water, waving her hands, making a big splash and smiling to her classmates. It’s all very, very sweet to witness.

As with all the great love affairs though, there have been good times and not-so-good times over the past few weeks in the pool. The smiles and tears have appeared equally as the valuable life lessons are learned.When Elle would cry during some classes, I’d be watching upon her from the edge of the pool while she was safe in dad’s arms, and be thinking all sorts of things – ‘Why is she upset all of a sudden? She’s the only one crying! Did someone pinch her underwater or did she gulp some pool water or something? Does she simply not like being in the pool for very long??’

It took a while to work it out, but eventually we noticed that most of time she cried it was at the exact moment she saw ME standing by the pool edge. Coincidence? No. Just a example of how not to make a mother feel loved !! Thankfully the advice to stay out of Elle’s view during lessons came from another mother at the pool; she’d experienced the similar behaviour from her 7 month old daughter and had originally heard the wisdom from another mother in the same position. I’m so glad I’m not the only mum out there who has this effect on their child !! Sure enough, as soon as I changed my poolside viewing routine and took a seat on the grandstand during lessons, there have been fewer tears. This journey really is a learning experience for us all!

We’ve been really impressed with the pool activities that the School has introduced at such a young age too. Elle and her classmates spend quality time each week submersed and moving freely through the water.  We can really notice Elle’s confidence growing each week, with the lessons encouraging correct breathing, arm and leg techniques in the water. There are also regular safety messages being taught, such as prompting bubs to hold on to the pool edge (or the parent) and developing the skills to safely enter the water from the pool edge.

There are only a few weeks of lessons left before end- of- term and we can’t wait to see what other skills develop in the pool and watch how Elle’s little love affair unfolds before the holiday break! Will this end up being a story of life-long true love or merely a sweet, summer swimming fling? Keep your eyes out for the next update to find out more!

From Elle’s mum, Tracie
November 2013

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We at Hampton Swim School offer infant, baby, toddler and children swimming lessons on the Brisbane South Side.