Today was Bug’s last day of swim lessons. Every week we’ve gone to these lessons, and every week it’s been a fight to get her into the pool. I’m so thankful for her very patient and skilled instructor. He does a great job of walking the line between being fun and tough. Today Bug dug deep into herself and went into the pool without a complaint. She swam with the noodle, just like her teacher asked, and when she got back to the pool steps, she was so proud, she wanted to do it again. This time, it wasn’t so successful. Part way out, she got tired. She was in the water by herself and could see her goal of the pool’s ladder, but in her mind she wasn’t getting any closer to it. She started panicking and swallowing small amounts of water. Her instructor watched her closely, encouraging her to calm down, breath and do what she new how to do. I was holding my breath. I knew she was in good hands. I knew she had the skills to get to the pool’s edge. I knew she was going to be fine, but it was hard to watch. I wanted to rescue my little girl! In the end, she pulled herself together and made it back to the steps. She was upset and a little scared, but once she calmed down, we talked about how she got to those steps all by herself. She was swimming and there was nobody else in the water! It was clear that she was proud of what she had accomplished and that in the end, that pride was bigger than her fear.
It’s hard to see our kids struggling beyond their comfort level, whether it’s the separation anxiety of being dropped off at daycare, the stress of conquering a fear or the insecurity that comes along with learning a new skill. We want to see them happy. But if we jump in and rescue them, we might actually be robbing them of the opportunity to feel that intense pride, that sense of accomplishment that comes with being pushed beyond your comfort level and succeeding.
Filed under: Personal Life | Tagged: kids, parenting, Summer
