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Summer is officially here for the Smith Barnes family, who took their first trip(s) this weekend to the Little Hunting Park Pool, our new swim club. Harry, who is learning to swim in earnest, got lots of time in to practice his jumping, kicking (and splashing) techniques in the adult pool, while Charlotte spent much time in the baby pool with lots of naked Barbie Dolls (or as Paul calls them "Euro Barbies.")
It's a neat little club that reminds both Paul and I of the clubs we grew up going to (if perhaps not as really formal). But there are two nice pools for the kids, a shaded playground and a snack bar that offers hamburgers and hot dogs that I swear evoke exactly the same memories of my days splashing at the Belvedere Tennis Club.
Harry could be a fine swimmer one day but not until he gets over the discomfort of water in his eyes (not a fan of it in the bathtub either). We're trying to coax him to put on some goggles but so far no luck (he complains they're too tight, but goggles are tight kid). I'm hoping my swimmer friends will have some thoughts. Janney? Aunty Jessica?
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Hi all. My friend Jori is an ace swimmer (she played varsity water polo in high school, I think that says it all), and offered these great tips. Thought they might come in useful for some of you too. cheers, Leef.
"A couple of suggestions from a former swimmer and lesson-giver:
1. Try the water yourself to see if it's over-chlorinated, which could be irritating. You could always ask the powers that be to tone it down (although with little kids they may not want to). At least you'll know either way.
2. Make it a game. I'm sure Harry's instructors have done this to some extent, but you can always do more. How many fingers am I holding under water? Can you find the blue toy? If the game is fun enough, they'll forget all about not wanting water in their eyes.
3. Point out other kids having lots of fun while opening their eyes under water. This strategy works best with siblings, I suspect, but probably works with playmates too."
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