June 01, 2011

A Not So Fun Milestone

I consider myself a good swimmer. I passed every level of swim lesson offered at my local pool and even had my life guard certification at one point. I'm thrilled that my girls love the water. I'm not so thrilled that they have graduated from the "little pool."
It was bound to happen. Last year they were the only kids their age who spent the majority of their pool time in the little pool. I would take them into the big pool for a few minutes, but the water went over their heads when they stood in the shallow end, so we only spent 15 minutes at a time there if I took them by myself. It's not a lot of fun in the big pool when four little ones are clinging to you. Last year they started swim lessons, so at least they had confidence in the water. While I think water wings are great, I just couldn't bring myself to use them. I had visions of my girls being too confident and having all four of them go in different directions. I tried swim vests, but the ones I bought never fit right.
Anyway, that brings us to this year. Our pool opened Saturday. We finally made it there yesterday. I knew there was no way I could justify letting four 5-year-olds play in the little pool. They want to splash, swim under water and have more fun than you can in the little pool. Our pool has huge concrete steps going into the shallow end. This worked out because I made them stay close to the steps and I was able to be close enough to grab them if needed. Fortunately, this year the water in the shallow end only comes up to their chest. It took them a few minutes to realize they could stand up and their heads wouldn't be under water. It took them even longer to remember you should only breathe out (and not in) when you go underwater.
It's a "not so fun milestone" because graduating to the big pool takes away some of my sense of security. The pool is always a fun way to burn off energy, but the big pool adds a whole new level of stress. 
Also, thank you to everyone who voted for Buried in Laundry for the Top 25 Parents with Multiples List by Circle of Moms. Buried in Laundry is on the list. I'll let you know when it's the featured blog. Thank you again for all your support!!!!

7 comments:

MaryAnne said...

I never take my three to the pool on my own, because I just don't see how I can watch them all - especially given that I swim okay, but not fantastically. It will be nice when they are all confident swimmers so we can make the most of water play in the summertime!

MaryAnne said...

And congrats on making the list! I was hoping you would =)

Quadmama said...

I don't think I could do it alone if mine were different ages. At least mine are at the same swim level and know I will absolutely positively take them home if they stop following my directions.

Anonymous said...

It's so important for children to know how to swim. Maybe you could go with a friend or your hubbie so you could split the girls between you in the big pool.

Quadmama said...

Over the last few days they have been really good about staying in the shallow end of the big pool. They know the deep end is for swimming lesson time only.

Renae said...

I so wanted my kids to start swimming lessons this summer, but given that preschool is so costly (and we had to begin making payments for next fall in February!), we decided that they probably will not take formal swimming lessons until the summer before they start K (once the preschool payments are done). But I really want them to feel comfortable in the water and not so scared, as they were the last two summer. So, we got them puddle jumper floats, which go around their arms and across their chests. We tried them out when my aunt came to visit and stayed in a hotel with a pool, and they LOVED them. TIny swam all around the pool by herself and had an amazing time. And I just think of it like training wheels on a bike. One day they'll learn to swim on their own, but for now, these will keep them safe and happy. (We will, of course always be right there with them.)

Lynette said...

I swear by puddle jumpers for my twins! My girls swim confidently in them in the lake and they don't make them tip like a life jacket does. They are coast guard approved hybrid life jacket. LOVE them!!!!

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