{Fish Out of Water}

Kylee began swimming lessons for the first time.  Day one was awesome!  She was excited.  She participated.  She played and talked with the other kids.  I wish I had had my camera that day.

This is a perfect representation of what Day 2 & 3 looked like:
She just freaked.  Wanted nothing to with any of it.  Cried. Screamed. Begged.  Day 2 I bribed her with Sonic and then basically tossed her in the pool to her teacher every time it was her turn.  This approach kind of worked, but the tears and screaming didn't stop.  Day 3 was better, less screaming, but she still put up a fight. I still had to force her to participate. 

Each time after her turn, she would get out of the pool and go sit in "her chair" until her teacher would tell them the next thing they would do.  Then she would very calmly hop off her chair, walk over to me and burst into tears!

I understand her fear {I prefer not to be in bodies of water larger than my bathtub}.  She is afraid of going under water and Day 1, I don't think she realized that was part of the deal.  A few weeks ago, while swimming at a friend's house, she jumped in the pool even though Dean told her to wait. He wasn't ready to catch her.  Dean was not far, but by the time he got there {within seconds} she was under.  I'm sure it was terrifying and now we are asking her to do that terrifying thing on purpose.  Because of this, I know she MUST learn to swim, even if she puts up a fight.

 

We finally came to the agreement that if she went everyday and did what Miss Mary asked, I would take her to the ice cream store {frozen yogurt-obviously I am not above bribery}.  Then Dean suggested we pray, asking for help for her to be brave and trust Miss Mary.  I think that did the trick!  Day 4 was total opposite of the rest.  She still sat in her chair and came to "discuss" each thing with me, but she went willingly and did what Miss Mary asked, with very few tears!  And she was learning and doing things right!  Now we will see how week 2 goes.  I have a feeling we may be praying again!