My Little Fishy

So I've mentioned how much Eli has taken to the water since he was a baby, which is the exact opposite of Ethan. But since I have never been one for the water, you can't say I didn't try with Ethan...

1st- At 10 months old, we signed up for a 'mommy and me' swim class. Ethan cried and wanted to sit on the edge of the pool each class time. I thought if I started young enough, he would surely like the water sooner or later. Not true.

2nd- Signed up for more swim lessons at age 3. He cried the first 2 days of class and didn't want to go in the water after that. We actually regressed because he wouldn't even go near the pool.

3rd- About 2+ years ago, We built a house in a neighborhood with a swimming pool. At the beginning of the summer, I would have to coax Ethan into the water (one time it took a full 20 minutes) and then he would just sit on the steps and play around. He had zero interest in leaving those steps and would panic if I tried to take him out with me.

So I had almost given up on trying more swim lessons in case it backfired and he never wanted to go swimming again. But I heard about some terrific ladies that have taught for over 15 years in their backyard pool and decided to give it a try...

Guess what? It worked! Absolute night and day difference... but the progress was slow at first.

Day 1- Ethan would not put his face in the water, would not lay on his back to float, cried and cried, etc. He got moved back to the earliest class with any other criers/panic-stricken kids.

Day 2- Had to physically pick Ethan up and hand him to the teachers while he cried and tried to run away. Then I had to listen (parents aren't allowed to watch) to him cry and protest during class.

Day 3- Ethan locked himself in the bathroom so he wouldn't have to go to swim lessons. I managed to get him out and to class on time. More crying and protesting at the beginning of class, but less by the end.

Day 7- I could hear Ethan actually volunteering to go first for EVERYTHING and saying how easy it was and how much fun he was having

Day 8- (Last day of first lessons. Parents get to watch)- Ethan was actually floating with his face in the water, backfloating, using kickboards, diving from the side of the pool, going through a hula hoop under water, diving for rings at the bottom of the pool, etc. He was so excited about every activity and loved it!

Amazing- I had to sign him up for another session! We just finished his second session today and he is a little fish. Ethan even got to move up another class cause he is just so much more comfortable in the water. He spends almost all his time under the water now and just loves to jump in and practice his moves. I am so proud of him!

So the real question is... do you think there is hope for me too??