Wednesday, July 22, 2015

The Swimming Hole

The kids are pretty fond of the water. Benjamin much more than Claire, but both are decent fans of the pool. (But don't make sister take a bath. THE WRATH!) We've had a pool membership three years now and absolutely love it. This particular "pool" is actually a small waterpark with four waterslides, one small waterslide, a sand area, splash pad area, kiddie pool, swim lanes, zero-depth main pool and a smaller pool. There are free floats to use for the kids and passholders have additional perks.

I never have my phone on me to take photos at the pool (because water), but my mom shot these when she was in town last month.

A little extra mom love and some Claire bubble blowing action

It's all fun and games until there are swim lessons. Benjamin had two weeks of them (at the pool we go to), totaling 8 days. He reluctantly participated three days, happily participated three days, and refused the final two days. Of course, that meant his behavior chart (grumble, it's a must...) had a couple sad faces for those days and no treats following meals or any screen time. He'd gleefully tell his swim teacher, "I will see you tomorrow!!!" and then completely refuse the pool the next morning. There's no predicting his crazy.

As soon as the swim lessons ended, he practically sprinted into the pool and jumped into the deep end like it was HIS JOB. After sitting in the stroller, dry and bored and pouty for the previous 40 minutes.

As long as no one is forcing him, he's on board. The moment it becomes a requirement, he's backing out. Ah, the life of a mom with a stubborn fish. At least it's not because he's not afraid of the water and only because he's a total punk.

Insert exhausted mom emoji here. And maybe the beer one, too. But not the fish one. That's just cruel.

4 comments:

Lj82 said... [Reply to comment]

so I'm not going to leave parenting advice because I don't really have any, but here's what I do to trick G sometimes: I tell her if she won't do it, Piper will.
"okay, don't eat your pasta. Piper will eat it and get big and strong"- cue Grace wolfing down her pasta.
"You see how well Piper is swimming? She's a super good swimmer…"- G jumps in the pool...
"okay, Piper will go to bed and have a nice sleep… " Just kidding that one doesn't work, but swimming does!:)

Mama Bear said... [Reply to comment]

Ha, this works sometimes using our kitty. "You better eat it up or Junie might get it..."

Mama Bear said... [Reply to comment]

Refusing swim lessons you've paid for is infuriating! Grrrrr Benjamin.

Caroline said... [Reply to comment]

Oh that picture of Claire snuggling you is THE CUTEST.