We have spent the last two weeks in swim lessons. What a nightmare. We switched this year from the Washington Community Center and a mom and tot class to Dixie State College and a independent class. Casey and I had a lot of a discussion as to whether or not this was the right decision for us and for Jenna. Once she gets comfortable she's very outgoing, but at times it can take a while before she is at ease. She's definitely not one to just jump right into something. She sits back and gets the lay of the land and then on her terms she will eventually join in. She's also still very clingy and has some separation issues. For all of those reasons, we decided we should go ahead with the independent class. Heather Kearl's son, Russ, Morgan Dewey's daughter, Lexie, and Kacey Perry's daughter, Lauren, were all going to be in the class also so I thought that would help with Jenna's computability. That being said, I expected it to be difficult, I did not expect it to be so traumatic. In hind sight, I still think we may the right choice, but I know now for future events i.e. preschool to have very low expectations.
Day one Jenna screamed the entire hour and spend most of it on my lap crying.
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| Day One |
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| Lauren Perry, ?, Lexie Dewey, and Russ Kearl |
On day two, I wore my swim suit thinking maybe if I sat on the steps with her, we could ease her in. That was a giant fail. She screamed and screamed and would not let go of my neck. So I finally yanked her off my neck and left the pool area. It was awful! She was in the pool, abandoned and sobbing. I was just outside the pooling, peeking through the fence, sobbing. Nobody won. Heather finally gave her a fruit snack and bribed her into not crying.
So on day three, I brought cinnamon bears and fruit snacks. Dropped her and the treats off and left the pool area again. It's my understanding from those allowed to stay in the pool area by their children, that she cried for a while but then calmed down fairly quickly. She spent the entire day swimming with her cinnamon bear, like a little security blanket. And then there was Jasmine.
Meet Jasmine, our saving grace:
She spent the rest of the two week class doing one on one with Jenna. Though Jenna had to do everything all the other kids in the class were required to do, she just did it on her own.
During week two, I was finally able to stay in the pool area. Once we bribed her with treats, and she found Jasmine, she was fine. I was so glad I was able to watch her, get some pictures, cheer her on, and not be isolated in the car. Hooray for progress!
I love her sweet little friendship she has with Lexie. They were only born a month apart and they play so well together. Hallelujah!
P.S. How cute are her little ringlets?! So fun, now that she finally has some hair.
