There is no doubt about it, being a parent is a challenging, ever-changing occupation.
Some days it feels like you are climbing a mountain in a blizzard and you are getting nowhere fast, but then there are the days it all comes together and the kids do something that makes you sing from the summit.
Yesterday was one of those days.
Isaac has been training with a local swimming club since January this year and the improvement in his swimming is staggering, but we have had one stumbling block – he didn’t want to race.
Isaac doesn’t like new situations, so when we signed him up for his first club gala just before the summer break, the noise and the sheer number of people there, terrified him and he refused to go anywhere near the pool.
The frustrating bit for us, as his parents, was the fact that during his lessons they often do relay races and he is the one with the biggest grin on his face as he powers down his lane.
A few weeks ago, we asked Isaac if he would like to try again and he nervously said yes. We booked him in for two short races and have been building up to the day. All seemed to be going fine until we got to the pool and again the nerves set in.
It is hard seeing your child upset and anxious, but we finally managed to persuade him to get changed and to come and sit poolside with his friend so he could see what was going on.
I will admit that it was a noisy and intimidating atmosphere, with lots of whistles blasting and horns going off to start the races. Not something that they are prepared for in lessons and when it was time to jump in for a warm up, there was no way he would get into that pool.
When asked why, all he could say was he “didn’t want people to watch me“.
I have to admit at this point we gave in and decided to head home, but when we got to the car he got upset again because he wanted to try.
Back in we went and we waited and waited for his heat. I was anxious he would freeze again, but he had a new determination about him and even when they said he would be swimming in lane one (he trains in lane five or six), he didn’t seem fazed – even telling me to go to the other side of the pool so I was closer.
He did it!!
He swam both races with no wobbles and no tears and he got his first times.
50m Freestyle: 56:56
50m Breaststroke: 1:20.58
Best of all, he loved it and can’t wait for the next meet!!
Kids eh?
As for us – we are proud as punch, although is has cost us a new Swim Bournemouth hoody and t-shirt with his name on!!
Wow! It’s great to see Swimming Galas are still a thing! I have fond memories of competing in them when I was at school!
This is amazing! What an achievement. New situations can be so daunting, but well done Issac for doing the swim anyway!
Brilliant, such a great step
It’s great to see their confidence bloom. Oh and it always costs parents tenfold in treats too. LOL!
Aww! Well done Isaac! He did great! You must be very proud x
Oh that’s so amazing – such a big step and achievement. You must be so proud 🙂
Glad he conquered his fear and did so well. Sounds like you have a club swimmer on your hands.
Oh bless him, I am so glad he changed his mind, what a little star x
Well done Isaac! I so agree with you. There are days when everything just seems to be a struggle with them. Glad your little boy pulled it off. You must be so proud! 🙂
Ah well done Isaac! That’s amazing, I’m so glad he got over his worries, kids always surprise us when we least expect it!
Oh wow, what a great achievement a big well done to Issac :):)
Awww bless him he has done so well , my hubby has started swimming again it gives him time on his own.
Oh that is so wonderful Kara, bug well done to Isaac for persevering. Mich x
Looks like he did great. He got there in the end. Well done on him
Aw a massive congratulations to Isaac for pulling through. It is amazing that he was able to say he wanted to go again too x
Well done to Isaac for pushing past his fears and doing so well. You must be so so proud of him x
Well done, he done amazing at conquering his fear no wonder you are super proud of him x
What a great moment. How brave and well done, I bet he felt so proud of himself.
What a proud moments and congrats that he did the races. I love swimming and still swim 3 times a week now 🙂 x
aww how brilliant and what an amazing achievement too
Aw, congratulations to him – these kind of events can be a bit overwhelming at first, but it sounds like he did brilliantly!
Ah, brilliant, well done to him. I totally agree it’s so hard to see them when they get anxious but it really came together in the end, good for him!
Good on him, that’s a great achievement. It can all be a bit overwhelming for little ones can’t it.
Good for him for facing his fears and just doing it. I wouldn’t have – the whole bells whistles and shouting thing sounds too stressful for me thanks, lol!
Congratulations to him! This is such an amazing accomplishment!
You should be proud! Well done little one
Bless him, I can’t swim and am never very good in things where I feel I am in competition or having to be watched doing things so he has my total admiration!
It’s such a great feeling to see them conquer their fears and accomplish their goals! Congratulations!!
One very proud parent you must be! Swimming is great, too 🙂
aww congratulations to him and it’s fantastic that he overcame his initial anxieties! Galas can be particularly intimidating for the little ones!
Well done Isaac! I’m not surprised you are proud of him, he’s done fantastically well to conquer his fears. I still can’t swim and really want to learn so I can take my little one.
Aw, bless him!! How brave of him to go back in and try again, and what a smashing achievement! I bet you’re all so thrilled! 🙂 Hopefully next time, he’ll feel a lot less nervous! xxx
Oh bless him! Reading that brought a big smile to my face – what a great job he (and you!) have done.
It was brave of him to conquer his fears like that. I used to love competing in swimming galas at school!
This is awesome. My daughter has been having lessons for one year now and she is yet to go to a gala. Your son did well. It can be hard to do things like that in front of others so well done to him for beating his fear.
The first in a team sport is always very scary to a youngster,I know before game I played in I got nervous,I just wanted to do well and not finish last. Hopefully your son will embrace swimming and not look back. Look forward to your next blog about Isaac’s next gala.
Awww that’s fantastic! I’m so glad he decided to go for it and should be so proud of himself! Way to go Isaac!
That’s amazing! Congrats to your kid, and to you too! Parenting well done <3
Well done, Isaac! The first time doing something, especially in such a public arena, can be scary. It’s great to hear he’s already looking forward to his next one.