Chaseton's Swim Lessons! 🏊🏽

You guys guess what!!!!!!!!!! (Well, the title already tells you... 😂) But, Chaseton has started his very first swim class! Yay!

Q: Why did we decide to get Chaseton enrolled in swimming lessons?

A: The short answer is that after Chase made a year old Dwayne and I decided it was time to let the boy learn how to swim! Here is our reasons why... 👇🏽

• Chase has always liked being in the water. If you follow Dwayne or myself on social media you might remember a post we made of Chaseton in his bathtub for the very first time. You could tell by the way that he splashed, kicked, and smiled in the water that he absolutely LOVED it. Here is that video in case you missed it.

https://video.wixstatic.com/video/50baef_dc7e3d4a05394410a413a5f1d5765fec/720p/mp4/file.mp4

• After conducting some research we learned that drowning rates are higher for minority children. Studies indicate that nearly 60% of all African American children are unable to swim. My husband is unfortunately a part of that 60% so it made this undeniably a huge priority of ours to let our son learn to swim.

• I LOVE to swim and I want my son to swim with me in the future. I always imagined that one day I would be the parent who takes their kids to the water parks, pool parties, and even have a pool in our backyard for some summer swimming fun. So, why not start Chaseton now? ☺️

• Lastly, Dwayne and I love the idea exposing Chaseton to different avenues of exercise/sports. Even at just a year old, he has the opportunity for swimming to teach him about endurance, discipline, improving his flexibility, growing his motor reflexes, building his strength, building his confidence, and helping him make new friends. As a pandemic baby, we were thrilled at the idea of finallllllly getting our son out there to explore the world and learn all that it has to teach and offer.

Now, you might be wondering about how the swim lessons have been going? 🤔 Well, lets just say this...

Chaseton began in what's called the "tadpole" swim group for level 1 beginners where 1 parent joins them in the water for some water play and simple activities. After arriving at the class I stepped into the water first before even putting Chaseton in and I realized that the pool was FREEZING COLD! I was afraid of how Chase would handle it. Sure enough, he got in and realized the same thing. I could tell by the shivers and goosebumps all over his body the entire 30 minute class. Yikes. 🥴

After finally getting settled in the water and joining the other 4 parents and babies in the classs we started some water play. The babies got to sing songs, splash, play with water toys, and even get introduced to submersion in the water. (This just means the teacher will have you dip your babies underwater to a comfortable level - either the mouth, nose, eyes, or full head under.)

https://video.wixstatic.com/video/50baef_13eaf4c7d8034584b217d3067ec347cf/1080p/mp4/file.mp4

Everything was going so great despite Chase's nerves and not knowing anything about what was going on. Dad and I just kept looking at each other so happy that Chase was making it through the class. 😏

But, about 20 minutes or so into the class things took a turn. 😧 What once was a comfortable time in the swimming pool became Chaseton crying his eyes out to get out of the water. Dad and I think he was just over the cold water, didn't care for the unfamiliarity of the situation, and was just ready to be done! Here is some footage to show you what I mean.

https://video.wixstatic.com/video/50baef_d9936cc9ece641178c813f29f358aa34/720p/mp4/file.mp4

In that moment I thought, "oh man... this isn't good. I wonder what the instructors will think of Chaseton now?" Not to be harsh on my sons first time swimming but I slightly panicked, looking around at all the other babies who were killing it and started to compare my son to the other kids. (I'll write another blog on this one day and the importance of NOT playing comparisons with your kid and other kids.) Anywho, the parent in me just wanted Chase to succeed at day one. But, overall I had to remember it was just the first class and things take time. So, I left that intial thought right where I had it and said to my son, "you'll kill it next week. Great job today, Chaseton." ☺️

Fast forward, y'all will never believe what has happened only 7 weeks later.

Can you take a guess!?!?!?

All that worrying and first day fears that happened and CHASE HAS MOVED UP TWICE SINCE THAT CLASS! Yes, you heard that correct - the boy has moved up from tadpole (level 1) to swimboree (level 2) to now seahorse (level 3). WOW!

The even crazier part is, his first class was on Sunday, May 22nd . Meaning, all of this happened in a little over a month span. Sheesh! Go Chaseton! 🥳

https://video.wixstatic.com/video/50baef_42c71167b3f34172bd584a6be421d1b0/1080p/mp4/file.mp4

This happened because as we returned for future classes it seemed like Chaseton just became comfortable, familiar, and started to enjoy the swim classes! He was able to follow the instructors directions well, he showed no fear of the water (no more tears), he was able to be fully submerged without panicking, and the instructors were able to take him for 1 on 1 lessons slowly disconnecting him from his need for mommy.

In conclusion, Chaseton is killing it in his swim classes and his level 3 class begins this weekend. I'm not sure what to expect or how he is going to continue to progress but each class I'm certainly committing to tell myself to be patient, allow my son to learn, and continue to be his biggest support system through the process.

- Monie Mommy ♥️

P.S.

If you've made it this far, thanks for reading and taking the time to learn some cool information about Chase. It is always appreciated and I can't wait to bring more cool stories to you all in the future. Until then, happy reading and until next time!