Over the past 2 years whenever we have taken Michael to a pool or the beach, he has not been too happy. He has had a great fear of the water. I was not sure why, as we continued to expose him to it and made sure that he didn't get dunked or fall under water. When he was 2 1/2 years old, we went to Florida for vacation. He was so scared that he didn't even want to set foot on the beach. Last summer, he did a little better getting into the baby pool as long as Todd or I were in there too. We put him in swimming lessons. When most of the other kids were jumping into the pool, he would only get in the water by grabbing the teacher and letting her guide him around the pool.
This was pretty hard for me to understand. I grew up on the Jersey shore. We had a pool in our backyard at the house I lived in until I was 2 and we later got a pool in the house that we moved to after that. Summers were spent at the beach all day with lunches of sandwiches and juice boxes. When it was time to go home, my mom would have to tear me away from the water. I took swimming lessons for several years and was even on the swim team one year. All I could hope for was that he would eventually come around and learn to love the water like I did!
Since we went to my parents' house for Easter, we decided to go to the beach on Saturday morning. It was in the mid 70's and the water temperature was in the mid 60's. Michael was so excited to go to the beach, which surprised me. Once he got down there, he couldn't wait to dig in the sand and build a castle. Imagine my surprise when he started off for the ocean with my mom. He actually went in the water and was jumping when the waves came in. And he was laughing while he said how much fun it was!
I thought this was a one-time thing but we went to the pool on Monday and he enjoyed himself there too. I almost couldn't believe it and didn't want to get my hopes up after Saturday. I think that some fear of the water is healthy but I just didn't want him to be so scared that it would prevent him from enjoying something that could be so much fun. I am really looking forward to spending some time at the pool and beach together!
5 comments:
Awesome!
This is strange to me too because my boys are FISH in the water. They love it!
When you come visit NC this summer (hint hint) you will have to go to our pool with us!
I'm so glad he's warming up to the water. The beach is a must...even if he is just a shoobie.
Yes! Way to go Michael! I love the second picture of him with his sunglasses on. Cooper loves a pool or our hot tub in the backyard, but does not like the ocean which was sad when we were in MA and 5 minutes from the beach. He would have fun in the sand, but didn't want to be anywhere near the water. I am hoping he is over it by the time we try a beach trip this fall. I would love for him to have fun in the waves.
Way to go, Michael! The ocean is way scarier than a pool, too. Sounds like this may be the summer that he gets his "fins."
I am glad he is enjoying the water now. A year can make a difference or even a season. The photos are great!
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