Harry Joins the 'Frogs'

Despite ample assurances from my friends Lisa and Janney, who, during their pre-motherhood days, taught many many kids to swim, I was nervous about Harry's first swim lesson. No mommy holding his hand. Just a big pool and a half dozen kids and an instructor. I had visions of him running around the pool deck, defying Johannes, the teacher, then diving into the deep end, only to be rescued by the lifeguard.

So mom worries.

Harry and his new friend Cora were easily the youngest, in the class with some very mature 4 and 5-year-olds. But it was a really good experience for him. He behaved, he listened (a little, best I could tell from my perch behind glass at the Chinquapin Rec Center) and he kicked his feet on command.

In truth, I was one of six parents watching breathlessly to see how their darling would fare. It took about 15 minutes for me to understand the benefit of private or semi-private lessons. The kids spent most of the clinic yesterday sitting on the side of the pool as the instructor worked one-on-one for a few fleeting minutes with each kid. How Harry contained himself with a pool calling is beyond me.

He is excited about his next lesson. "I'm going to be a good boy, mommy" he assured me. The bigger question is whether mommy will leave again with sweaty armpits. Probably.