How he overcame his fear

My little boy had no problem swimming in the baby pool in our condo. However, each time we drag him into the big pool, he'd scream, cry and cling to either on of us like a little koala bear. All heads would turn towards us and we would cringe in embarassment as the little cheeky hollers away. Even though we kept reassuring that we won't let go, he wouldn't want to listen and would just bawl.

Hubby and I decided that we need to brainwash him and explain to him properly that there's nothing to be afraid of. But that didn't really work too. He'd come out of the big pool and run towards the baby pool. I was about to give up and thought of trying again when he was a little older. However, in the midst of this, I received an email from Aqua Ducks, a swim school, offering Joshie a trial lesson. They would assess him and decide if he can fit into their programme. We have been put on the waitlist for a long time already and I was happy that our turn finally came. BUT, I don't think they'd accept him if he starts to holler away at the swimming pool.

So, we tried again. Brainwash him. Told him he's a big boy and there's nothing to be afraid of. Bribed him with M&Ms too. And the good thing was, his two close friends have already started swimming lesson and can swim in the big pool quite independently. I purposely brought him to the poolside to watch his friends swim and asked him if he wanted to be like them.

So into the pool he went again, during the recent Deepavali holiday. We tricked him and said that his friends are watching from upstairs. He believed and so went into the pool with little fuss. Had his arm floats on and kickboard in his hands. Daddy held on to his kickboard to give him confidence and so he started kicking. With each kick, came words of encouragement and praise from both the hubs and I. Soon he was enjoying himself and didn't even realise that daddy had let go of the kickboard. He was kicking on his own, with his arm floats and kick board. And before we knew it, daddy could move away and he was all OK. He was excited and didn't ask to go to the small pool anymore.

And then, his friend came to join him in the big pool. When he saw that his friend was swimming with just the swim jacket on, he let go of the kickboard too. I could hardly believe my eyes. Of course he was very pleased with himself and asked his friend to look at him too =) I guess peer pressure really works, even at such a young age eh?

My little boy looks so small in the big pool. The hubs and I are real glad that he has overcome his fear =)