I'm Lindsay Ferrier, a Nashville writer with a passion for family travel, exploring Tennessee, and raising kids without losing my mind in the process. This is where I share my discoveries, along with occasional deep thoughts, pop culture tangents and a sprinkling of snark. Want to get in touch? Use the CONTACT form at the top of the page.
September 4, 2010
>I know many of you want an update on how Punky’s swimming lessons are going. If you didn’t read my post on her first lesson this season, basically the substitute instructor dropped her in the water without warning while she was swimming with support and she sank to the bottom of the pool. You can read all about the aftermath here.
I talked to the director of the aquatics program the next day and she assured me that it should not have happened and would not happen again. I had several discussions with Punky about it and told her that she would never have that instructor again, that she shouldn’t have dropped her, and that she had “gotten in trouble” for doing it. I was so impressed with Punky’s courage- She never shied away from going to her next lesson, although there was some clinging once she got there.
Fortunately, her regular instructor was very nice and reassuring. I talked to her about what had happened at the last lesson and she was extra supportive and understanding when she was in the water with Punky. It was hard for me, though, to see Punky clutching at her in the pool- She hadn’t behaved that way with an instructor since her first lessons at the age of three.
Shortly after her lesson began, Punky’s first grade teacher came into the pool area. “Do you think it would be all right if I go over to the side of the pool and tell Punky she’s doing a great job?” she asked.
“Of course!” I said. In fact, I could think of nothing better. Punky and her classmates absolutely adore their teacher. She went over to Punky and said a few encouraging words to her and, as expected, Punky beamed with pure joy. Her teacher came back over to me and sat down.
“We were talking about our worries and fears in class, and Punky told the class the story of what had happened at the last swim lesson,” she said. My heart sank into my shoes. “So we talked as a class about how she could be less afraid.”
“Yeah,” I said. “She had a pretty awful experience. And I was so angry, because she was right on the verge of swimming alone.”
“Well, when I saw her in the parking lot in her swimsuit, I knew she was coming in for a lesson and I just had to come in and give her a thumbs up!” she continued. And at that moment, I could totally see why Punky and her friends have a total teacher crush.
Because I do, now, too.
Anyway, Punky has now been to three lessons and while the second one with the new instructor was rough, she made major progress on the latest one and was oh-so-close to swimming completely on her own! I was so proud that even though she was scared, she consistently volunteered to go first on every exercise.
And now you have the rest of the story.
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