fish

Well, our little Michael Phelps Jr. in the making is having some great successes at Swim Labs but he's also 3.  He recently added Saturday lessons and the first with Miss Kayla was a little challenging but the one following with Mr. John was awful.  Although I couldn't see him, I heard his name over and over, "Ben, back on the wall." "Ben, it's not your turn."  Well this day also happened to be "show and tell," when the parents get to see and hear what the kids have been up to.  John started with Ben and mentioned that he was ready to move up to intermediate!!!!!, but that he'd need to learn to stay on the wall and wait his turn in order for that to happen. :(  He went on a bit about how tough the day had been and how much Ben failed to listen all in front of the other parents.  Needless to say, I was mortified.  As I was leaving John also mentioned that it's hard for him to be firm with Ben because he clearly loves the water so much and is so fearless and so cute.  I told him that what Ben needed for success in all of life right now was firmness and clear boundaries.  I explained how much he'd been testing us since turning 3 and also reminded John a couple times that Ben was only 3 as the others in his group are 5 and 6. 
So, I devised a plan and today Ben made it 17 minutes out of 30 before he failed to wait his turn.  For Ben in the water that means he jumps off the ledge and swims a few strokes before being rescued (not that he's aware he needs rescuing,) from what may or may not be eventual drowning.  Thankfully we've had no close calls and in my book Ben might just surprise us and swim back to the edge but no one is confident in that yet.  Additionally, it is important for him to learn to take turns and wait in line-ugh! NO one likes waiting in line! So, we had talked all week about my expectations and what would happen if Ben didn't wait his turn.  He made it lots longer than I expected before Kayla waved me in.  I think she was thrilled with our plan and level of commitment in terms of Ben potentially missing part of his lesson. So, as discussed, I pulled him out, we left quickly, and he lost all iPad privileges for the rest of the day.  He cried and cried as we changed his clothes and it all sunk in but I was glad the losses meant something to him.  It was a tough lesson but one that I hope doesn't take too long to sink in.