Monkey swam a width of the pool

Monkey swam a width of the pool #SSAmazingAchievements

Monkey swam a width of the pool

Regular readers will know that over the last 11 months I’ve been trying to conquer my fear of water and I’ve been taking swimming lessons.  I can do all strokes now – but they all need technical tweaks and the fear of the deep is still very real.  Last February Monkey started on his own swimming journey as he started lessons in the afternoons.  Being the child that he is, confidence is not his strongest feature.  He takes his time.  His friends all started around the same time as him and are now at least in stage 3 classes.  But Monkey, although being happy in the water, wasn’t happy to swim.  A few months ago we had a couple of strokes, but that’s been it. Until last Tuesday.  Last Tuesday was very emotional for me as Monkey swam a width of the pool.  I watched in disbelief as off he went.  The instructor was cheering him on as was her assistant.  He did it, he flipping well did it!

So yes, I was sitting there watching, holding back the tears.  I was so proud of him.  I know more than most how hard that first width or length is.  How amazing it feels, what an achievement it is.

Of course, being Monkey, one width was enough and he wasn’t going to be persuaded to swim back in quite the same fashion.  But he did it and bless him, he was so full of it when he finished his lesson.  He had the biggest hug and chocolate was definitely called for!

I could tell how happy he was when he told me he wanted to go swimming with his Daddy in Sunday.  I was going out for the day so they were planning a boys day.  Daddy P had an idea which involved trains but no, Daddy I want you to take me swimming.  How wonderful, the boy wanted to have fun in the pool with his Dad.

When I got home Sunday evening Monkey was full of it, all the fun they’d had together. He hadn’t swum without his woggle, but never mind.

Yesterday was backstroke, not so confident so I’m not sure if he’s done enough to finally move up a class. We’ll know a week on Monday, but he’s made a big step forward and I’m really proud of him.

 

10 thoughts on “Monkey swam a width of the pool #SSAmazingAchievements

  1. Yay, well done Monkey. Hopefully N won’t be far behind him, although I have a feeling he might be at school before he manages it! I have a being on his back hater too. Hates doing a star float while all the other children will lie there without support for minutes.

  2. I could see from his face when we saw you last week just how proud he was of his swim. Lovely to see and I’m so glad he got to go swimming on Sunday too x

  3. Aww how lovely, fantastic that he swam a width and wanted to do more with Daddy, lots more family swimming on the way now I’m sure.
    Thanks for linking up with #SSAmazingAchievements

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