Confidence isn’t something that comes easy to my kid. He’s smart, shy and a little timid. He can be overly hard on himself. I know where he gets it from.
But something incredible happens when he gets in the pool. He puts his goggles on and heads right to the pool, no hesitation, now tears, no “Mommy I’m nervous”.
And for those 30 minutes it’s like that shy kid vanishes. He pushes himself and he swims with kids who are bigger and older than him.
Swimming comes easy to him. He’s comfortable in the water. He’s not afraid to jump in or swim in the deep end. And while his fearlessness makes me a little nervous, it’s so rare that he’s not afraid to try something new that I fully embrace it.
Because usually what comes naturally to him is to be timid, to hesitate, to be afraid and I know that for him confidence doesn’t come easy.
So every week as I sit there on the sidelines watching him excel, I can’t help but smile and feel proud.
And I never really got why parents get so excited by their kids sports. I never understood why parents throw themselves head first into it. But now I can see the temptation. That happy look on his face when he hits the water, I never want it to fade away. I want him to keep excelling and keep swimming and keep taking pride in something that he does well.
Because it’s a wonderful feeling seeing him do something that he loves.
Yussssssssss!!!
Isn't it amazing?!
My son is into hockey and baseball and just watching him light up and get right into it — man, it's something else. And I don't even think it's them being super amazing all-stars at it. It's watching them take pride, watching their determination, watching them have fun — it's all those things that just sweep you up in their moment.
Kids are just awesome.
Go on little man and your fish swimming self! It's a tough sport. My guy sinks like a brick and is in lessons but he does love it!! It doesn't come naturally for everyone so be proud Mamma! He looks like he's having so much fun out there!!
TJ has not wanted to swim the last 2 summers. I know I should have taken him for lessons but never got to it because I knew he would not get in the pool without me. After 4 times, we finally got him in the pool with his puddle jumper this year and he doesn't want to leave the pool. I think he is comfortable enough that in the off season I can get him into lessons and he will be good. But the excitement we see when he gets in there gets us so excited. He said he wants to play t-ball next year so we will see, but the excitement is pretty cool. Wish I could bottle it.