My kid is that kid at the pool

You know when you take your kid for swimming lessons? That fun summer rite of passage for all kid? Fun right? They are all excited in their little bathing suites. They jump right in the water, blow bubbles, pick up rings and practice splashing around the pool. Big smiles on their little wet faces. IMG_1543

Yeah no, not my kid.

There is always that one kid at the pool. The one who is shivering before they are even out of the car. The one who doesn’t want to do any of the things the life guard says. The one who has a death grip on mommy’s leg. “Please no mommy, please don’t make me swim. I don’t want to do that. No thank you!!!!!” 

You know that kid. Well…it appears mine is that kid.

IMG_1565It could be a pool filled with chocolate chip cookies instead of water and still the boy would resist. In his class there are 4 instructors for the group and one of them has to personally attend to my son the entire class. I am assuming that they draw straws before we get there to see who gets stuck with him.

I also assume that I will now have to tip this person. He would no sooner cross the river Styx then wade slowly down the handicap ramp of the community pool. It’s like he’s the Wicked Witch of the West and will melt the instant water touches him. The sound of children’s laughter and cheers were overshadowed by one, who’s screaming bloody murder at the thought of being dipped into 10 inches of warm pool water.

It may be my kid…this time….with this activity, but at some point it has been everyone’s kid. And if it hasn’t been your kid yet, just wait, it will be someday.

As we sat, unsure what to do as our kid appeared to be dying out there, several parents said to my wife and I “don’t worry about it, they all go through it” or “that was my child last summer”. Almost like we were in some sort of substance abuse support group and it was our first meeting.

“Hi I’m Pat, and my son hates swimming lessons”. 

everyone – “Hi Pat, great job being brave, we have all been where you are. You have a long road ahead of you but it does get easier, we promise.”

IMG_1546Luckily after 80% of the class is done, my son finally notices that swimming lessons don’t suck. In fact, they are almost fun. He likes to grab the rings and gets a huge smile on his face when he gets one. Now if only he could remember this joy from day-to-day.

sadly…no, no he does not.

Happy 4th of July and summer to you all! May your days too be filled with driving kids to summer camps they don’t want to be at.

Pat Lemieux

About Pat Lemieux

Pat has it all, family, big old house, dogs, a young son and a quarter-life crisis. He blogs about trying to be who he has always been and be who he now needs to be. He enjoys 90's grunge metal, tasty local brews and the outdoors.