Sink or Swim Baby

Since purchasing our boat two summers ago, we are adamant that Chase learn how to swim and not fear the water. The thought of a child not knowing how to swim scares me. When Chase was old enough we promptly enrolled him in a "Water Babies" class. Chase has now graduated from "Water Babies" to "Water Sprites." The biggest difference is he now works independently with an instructor whereas before one of us was in the water with him. The class meets twice a week for 30 minutes and they learn the basics (floating, dog paddle, that sort of thing). Chase loves the water and after warming up to Ms. Jen he is more than happy to do as he is asked and let her work with him.

Thanks to our ragin' ear infection we were told that while they want us to continue swim class, that he needs to keep his ears out of the water and make sure his plugs are always in. In reality, pool water is better because it's chlorinated, bath water is bad news. We always, always have plugs. In fact, we went with the more expensive fitted ones from the ENT just to be safe.

There are only four kids in Chase's class, one of which is his best buddy, Cade. Cade and Chase have been at the same sitter since Chase was five months old and Cade is only four months older. Cade's mom is one of my best friends, so it was just natural for Chase and Cade to be best friends. Now as best friends go, they are very rough.

During the class the parents sit away from the kids so that they will work and not be distracted by mom and dad. One of us tends to always stay in site, just to be safe, but we try to maintain distance at the same time. Yesterday while waiting for their turn to jump in to Ms. Jen and swim out and back, the boys started playing pretty rough. There is a lifeguard right there, but things just happen so quickly. In the blink of an eye Chase was in the water. I'm not 100% sure of the whole story because I didn't see it.... thank God! But I was told during the horseplay Chase bent over to touch the water and one push from Cade was all it took. Ms. Jen was almost immediately there to scoop him out of the water and I'm not sure who it scared more. Chase was fine, although very MAD at Cade for pushing him in. Cade was terrified because he saw Chase go in and knew it was his fault. Ms. Jen felt awful that Chase's ears had gone under. I was just relived that Chase was ok and knew to hold his breath when he hit the water!

I swear I feel the grays sprouting daily!!! Sink or swim baby, sink or swim.