Tiger Mom

More like torture mom.

There were 4 of us today in Lauren’s swim class (kids ages 18 months to 3 or so) – 3 girls and 1 boy. The 1 girl is completely terrified of the pool. She starts screaming from the moment the water gets to her knees, then her mom just holds her for the rest of the 35 minute session. It’s a heck of a way to learn to swim, but her mom works very hard to comfort her and help her feel more comfortable with the water.

The other girl and Lauren are cool. They hang out with their dad’s and have progressed quite nicely. Today both girls swam on their own wearing back floaties and even made attempts without the floats.

The 4th student (the boy) was completely tortured by his mother today. Things started out ok, but then she spiraled into a pit of negative reinforcement. She did things like purposely take the floats away when he wasn’t ready. Told him he couldn’t go to swim parties this summer with his brothers if he didn’t learn to swim. He was screaming for mercy. Pleading for her to stop and help him  – comfort him. She kept pointing to Lauren and the other girl and saying things like “they can swim, why can’t you?” It was horrible. Lauren knew it too. It distracted her from her lesson. The little girl screaming about the water is one thing, but watching the other mom torture her son was obviously different and distracting for Lauren. Luckily she had to go potty and we left early, though now I wonder if that wasn’t just a ploy on her part.

Both girls (Abigail and Lauren) are moving up to the next levels. We briefly thought they’d be in the same class, since Abigail hadn’t appeared to be progressing. Today she did great. Interesting thing about Lauren is she’s below the age limit for the next class. Not that I expect an Olympic swimmer or anything. I’m just happy she’s progressing and should be some kind of safer in our own pool this summer.

– b