Carson learns to swim

As a child, did your parents ever make you do something that you would rather not do? Not necessarily something you insisted on not doing, just if you had your preference, it was hard, and as a child you would have not done it if the choice had been left up to you.

Sometimes I wonder if that happens as often as it used to? I see many parents who will just allow their kid to quit when things get tough. I am a firm believer that kids should learn to do somethings whether they like it or not, and as the parent it is my responsibility to help them make it through the tough part, and get to experience the sweet taste of success.

Growing up, all of my siblings were competitive swimmers, that is just what we did as a family. For several years, we would travel many weekends a year to out of town swim meets to compete with other swimmers. My mom now has a little summer league swimteam that she has been coaching for about 15 years. When I was in college, and even after that, many summers I would come back and help teach kids to swim. I tried to explain to Carson that I have taught a lot of kids to swim, and if he would let me, I could teach him also. While we were visiting a few weeks ago, I decided it was time for Carson to learn to swim.......Carson wasn't sure he was ready.......

I originally had intended to put him into swimming lessons, but after watching the swimming lessons available decided he would probably learn more and faster if I just got in a worked with him. For anyone who knows Carson, he is very dramatic, and usually very loud about his dramatics. He is so capable, but so stubborn, like the typical male, if it is not his idea he just isn't completely sold on it. He was excited to get in the water, but when he realized that I was going to make him swim and not just play, the screaming commenced. He didn't want to do the hard work necessary to become as we like to call it "drown-proof." So we made it 5 days, and Carson learned to swim on his back from one end of the pool to the other, 25 yards. He swam his first swim meet, and he was so excited that he could make it the whole way, and I was so excited for him that he got to experience that sense of accomplishment. He was so excited to really earn his first ribbon, and get his racing swim jammers, he was so proud of his 3rd place ribbon, and it was so exciting to watch him!

This is Carson's very first swim race, and he really did a great job!

Natalie was glad that Uncle Derrick and Aunt Laci came to watch Carson, and to play with her too. She thought it was pretty fun to be uncle Derrick's buddy on this visit.
Since we were only in town for a few weeks, Carson only got to do two swim meets, but his time was like 25 seconds faster the second week, and though there was less screaming during practice, he did work to improve his mad skills.

There were quite a few kids out of town for this swim meet, so Carson got to be a part of the relay, and he was quite excited! He got two first places on the relay's, a 2nd place, and one 3rd place on his races, he is very proud of his ribbons! Now I just hope that I can keep him swimming so we don't have to start at square one again!
This is the second week, and he went much faster this time!

Garry was glad that he was able to make it in time to watch him at one swim meet, and I was glad he was there too, so he could help with Natalie since I was helping my mom. They entertained each other quite well.
So I might be the meanest mom ever, but I'm glad to have a happy swimmer now!