July 28, 2008 - Swimming 101
Finally, Mika had her first swimming lesson!! I've been dying to get her out into the water but didn't want to go alone. What if it doesn't go well and Mika needs rescued??? I am a lousy swimmer and felt sure I should have backup.
I am really glad I waited till I could have help, though not because things went poorly. Actually Mika was great, but I went into total nervous mommy mode rather than an objective trainer. Two of my fellow students, Kari and Stephen, coached me through the process and I am grateful!
Kari taught Mika's brother, Walter, how to swim with a life jacket so that's how we started Mika out as well. We used a tennis ball bumper (a long tubular shaped tennis ball with a rope on the end) to lure her out into the water. I teased her with the bumper and when she got amped up I threw it out into the water and let her give chase, keeping her on a long leash. We swam her at a boat dock which worked well because she could ease her way into the water without a big drop off.
Mika went after the bumper and seemed a little started by the water, but she didn't run away, she just looked unsure. I walked out into the water a bit to let her know she was doing the right thing. Still unsure, we decided to remove the life jacket to unburden her of the weird sensation of wearing the bulky clothes.
From there it was in and out of the water, teasing her with the bumper, throwing it a bit further each time, letting her go after the ball, and LOTS of cheers and praise when she nabbed the toy.
As we threw the toy a bit further each time, Mika ultimately reached the point where the water depth would no longer allow her to stand. She hesitated for several moments, contemplating whether or not getting that bumper was worth her going a few inches further and a few inches deeper. It was exciting to see her work through the conflict and ultimately to stretch herself a it further to get her prize. "Yeahoo!!!! Good girl!!!"
Headed back from the park, Stephen, the dogs, and I were soaked in river water. We decided if anyone saw us and asked about our clingy wet clothes we'd tell that we just came from a wet t-shirt contest and Steve won. ;)
I am really glad I waited till I could have help, though not because things went poorly. Actually Mika was great, but I went into total nervous mommy mode rather than an objective trainer. Two of my fellow students, Kari and Stephen, coached me through the process and I am grateful!
Kari taught Mika's brother, Walter, how to swim with a life jacket so that's how we started Mika out as well. We used a tennis ball bumper (a long tubular shaped tennis ball with a rope on the end) to lure her out into the water. I teased her with the bumper and when she got amped up I threw it out into the water and let her give chase, keeping her on a long leash. We swam her at a boat dock which worked well because she could ease her way into the water without a big drop off.
Mika went after the bumper and seemed a little started by the water, but she didn't run away, she just looked unsure. I walked out into the water a bit to let her know she was doing the right thing. Still unsure, we decided to remove the life jacket to unburden her of the weird sensation of wearing the bulky clothes.
From there it was in and out of the water, teasing her with the bumper, throwing it a bit further each time, letting her go after the ball, and LOTS of cheers and praise when she nabbed the toy.
As we threw the toy a bit further each time, Mika ultimately reached the point where the water depth would no longer allow her to stand. She hesitated for several moments, contemplating whether or not getting that bumper was worth her going a few inches further and a few inches deeper. It was exciting to see her work through the conflict and ultimately to stretch herself a it further to get her prize. "Yeahoo!!!! Good girl!!!"
Headed back from the park, Stephen, the dogs, and I were soaked in river water. We decided if anyone saw us and asked about our clingy wet clothes we'd tell that we just came from a wet t-shirt contest and Steve won. ;)
posted by Shannon @ 8:39 PM
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