Reminisce and Reflect with me.
A quick READ.
Kids, water and summer equals fun! Swimming lessons were a big success in nineteen-ninety-something. You can lead a horse to water. Fortunately, we did not have to make our kids go in! Don’t go chasing Waterfalls by TLC was popular on the air waves. We were racing off to waterparks, waterslides, and our favorite YMCA pool.
Beanie Babies were the new craze that year, but our kids had their eyes set on climbing the swimming ladder of success via buoyant animals like otters, seals and dolphins.
Navigating countless crowded, steamy, slippery, chlorine infused communal showers and change rooms was part of each child’s journey.
Trying to stay dry straddling benches and stuffing lockers while fully clothed was a challenge. Carrying wet towels, multiple backpacks and belongings while trying not to think about the athlete’s foot fungus and pink eye germs below you was a parent’s nightmare.
And then you sit and wait. No scrolling through your phone! What phone! The World Wide Web has only just released browsers making the internet accessible at home on your computer if you have one. Instead you read your paperback, babysit siblings, strike up a conversation with the parent next to you, or maybe just enjoy watching your little ones swimming, splashing and diving. Then like a machine your wash, rinse, dry and repeat cycle continues.
Despite the possible shame and disappointment of being stuck at dolphin and never making it to the Starfish levels. I have signed the kids up for a second set of swimming lessons this summer.
Following the enthusiasm currents and riding the waves of fun. Your kids are being supervised by someone else for 45 minutes and learning a life skill at the same time. Enjoy it while you can!
Hindsight Reflection #1 Isn’t it nice that some nurturing places like the Y still exist.
Hindsight Reflection #2 There will be many more ladders of success for kids to climb. And many more places for parents to become masters of waiting and watching.
Hindsight Reflection #3 Life is going to be full of sink or swim moments. I know that my kids learned how to stay afloat many years ago!
Thank you for joining me.
Karen
