Uncle Matthew has been teaching kids to swim for years now, both overseas and here locally. He's very patient and good with young children, so we decided to take advantage of his skills and free time, by asking him to teach his niece and nephew. He graciously took on the challenge and in the hotel swimming pool began to work with them.
Surprisingly, it was Norah who was the swimming enthusiast. She was the first to willingly put her face in the water and to attempt to branch out past the steps by holding on to the side. Justin was far from thrilled by the idea of putting his face in the water and responded to that instruction by going under the water just as far as his nose before stopping.
Uncle Matthew put up with a great deal and knew the lesson was just about over (thank goodness it was anyway) when he was informed that he was not their mommy and couldn't tell them what to do. Fortunately this revolt was a minor one that failed and he agreed to more classes in the future.
Jeff and I decided to take the kids to their uncles' apartment pool a few days later and let the kids play some more in the kid pool. Norah's confidence in herself increased dramatically because she was able to touch the bottom. She walked back and forth, giggling and ecstatically happy the entire time. Justin, just a few inches than Norah was unable to touch the bottom yet, but took turns going with us back and forth as we chased each other. Playing together in the water as a family, watching our children become more confident in themselves was a wonderful way to spend the morning. We decided that more swim lessons would be the perfect way for them to spend the summer. Little did we know how hot and miserable the summer would be, making even pool time impossible. But for these few days it was great!
Uncle Matthew has been teaching kids to swim for years now, both overseas and here locally. He's very patient and good with young children, so we decided to take advantage of his skills and free time, by asking him to teach his niece and nephew. He graciously took on the challenge and in the hotel swimming pool began to work with them.
Surprisingly, it was Norah who was the swimming enthusiast. She was the first to willingly put her face in the water and to attempt to branch out past the steps by holding on to the side. Justin was far from thrilled by the idea of putting his face in the water and responded to that instruction by going under the water just as far as his nose before stopping.
Uncle Matthew put up with a great deal and knew the lesson was just about over (thank goodness it was anyway) when he was informed that he was not their mommy and couldn't tell them what to do. Fortunately this revolt was a minor one that failed and he agreed to more classes in the future.
Jeff and I decided to take the kids to their uncles' apartment pool a few days later and let the kids play some more in the kid pool. Norah's confidence in herself increased dramatically because she was able to touch the bottom. She walked back and forth, giggling and ecstatically happy the entire time. Justin, just a few inches than Norah was unable to touch the bottom yet, but took turns going with us back and forth as we chased each other. Playing together in the water as a family, watching our children become more confident in themselves was a wonderful way to spend the morning. We decided that more swim lessons would be the perfect way for them to spend the summer. Little did we know how hot and miserable the summer would be, making even pool time impossible. But for these few days it was great!
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