Wednesday, February 8, 2012

little swimmers

Bodhi's had some stress recently - he started a swimming class and it was just too much for him. He felt pressured, he felt like he just couldn't do it, and he got very sad and angry. I didn't notice fast enough, the first day, being corralled in the observation section, and that made it worse, sadly. So we've had a few weeks of sadness and mounting anxiety over it - for the last two weeks he sat near the pool, torn, wanting to get in but feeling too scared each time he tried. Or sad, rather. Last week there was a gentle voiced, undemanding older woman instead of the gung ho twenty something young guy who was a little bit full on for my nervous boy. He still didn't join in just sat and played and had a nice enough time.

I spent all day with an anxious hand clutching at my heart about it. I don't want my four year old to be stressed. He agreed on the way to the pool yesterday evening that part of him did want to get in, and join in, but the sad part always won. So I said, fine, give it a go if you can, sit and watch - and I decided to take my friend, who runs the pool,'s advice and just take him out and restart him in a couple weeks.

And then... he hopped in and joined in. Next thing I knew he was motoring across the pool on a sponge frog float, blowing bubbles in the  water and singing as he went. My friend came back to chat again and looked at the change in disbelief, as did the teacher. And, oh, the joy and happiness of watching him groove around having fun, doing all the stuff, talking to the other kids with a smile on his face. Such a good feeling to have happiness rising in my throat instead of the other. I can't even explain it. It's the happiest I've felt in ... I can't remember how long. Go Bodhi!

Meanwhile, there were two kids in Olivia's class, so she had the handsome young bearded teacher called Shay all to herself, virtually. He was laughing with them, and in the water, and you could see the two girls hanging on his every word. What a treat! I know it hasn't happened yet and when it does there'll be tears and heart ache, but I'm looking forward to her having young men in her life, her friends and boyfriends. Not in a pervy way, you understand, it's just nice to see her loving the interaction. There's a nice energy to it.

I went shopping today and bought Spirulina and popped in to the veg shop and bought a teeny Hokaido pumpkin, which I haven't done for years, since I can't afford nice organic fare anymore. But tonight I'm going to make pumpkin and sweet potato and squash and quinoa soup and I'm feeling all excited about the healthiness

12 comments:

Ms. Moon said...

That image of your boy made me happy.

catherine said...

me too Ms. Moon...and that soup ! sounds delish ya big show off..whats the story with Spirulina..is it drinkable ?

Jo said...

Mary, it's was wonderful. Such a turn around, made me laugh in delight.

Catherine - Show off?? Chop an onion, fry in oil, put in some cinnamon or any other spice you fancy, throw in some diced sweet potato, pumpkin, butternut squash, a potato if you like - also maybe grill a red pepper so you can take the skin off and put that in too, maybe a leek. Pour in a couple pints of water and about 4 tsps of bouillion powder (at least that's what I do) and bring to the boil, then simmer for 15 mins or til everythings soft, and blend. Ta da! Easy peasy.

Jo said...

Oh, Spirulina is a sort of super food made of blue-green algae. Google it, v good for lots of things, you cab buy tablets or cheaper in powder - I have, in my time, put in pancakes and smoothies, it's actually quite nice like that.

laughykate said...

What a beautiful story! I remember my first swimming lesson - I think I was the same age. Had been happy as a clam to splash around in rivers, lakes and the sea. But when I got taken to the local public pool to learn to swim I remember being overwhelmed by a terrible fear once I was in the pool and I didn't want a bar of it. The following week we tried again - and I got over my fear and was away. To this day I love love love swimming.

But how wonderful for Bodhi to have not felt any pressure until he was ready. Guarantee he'll remember that always.

Jo said...

I really didn't know what to do. I did hate the thought of a 4 year old suffering fear and anxiety over any aspect of his life... but now I'm glad I kept bringing him and putting him in a position to be able to do it in his own time - this parenting thing, there is no manual.

Anonymous said...

What a great story. Feeling fear and anxiety, being reassured that those are perfectly normal and understadable feelings which don't need to be hidden or explained away or ignored .. and then, in his own time, getting over the fear and anxiety and having a great time ... and knowing thereafter that fear and anxiety are feelings that can be overcome

What a great life lesson. What a lucky boy he is to have you as as parent.

Jo said...

Well, thank you. Let's just wait and see how it goes again next week!

Catherine said...

Thanks jo..really, that soup sounds like a winner..am tryin so hard to eat loads of veg at moment..I blitz soups so kids don't realise they re eating spinach etc..off to google spirulina now..all goodness welcome ;)

Danielle said...

ha...thats wonderful:-) didnt i told you it ll be all good in the end?:-))))))

just came home from my english class...and really could do with some of that soup of yours^^

morgor said...

Nice to hear things turning out well :)

More happy stories please!

Jo said...

I deliver the happy stories as and when they occur!