Sunday, January 22, 2012

Entry 2 - An Event that had an impact on my life

The first time i visited my daughter at her swimming class.  I had no idea that she disliked the pool that much, she would help me pack her bag for pool day and was quick to remind me that she had to pay the driver which she took pride in travelling in bus and paying for herself, (which all the other children in her school had to do).  Off and on she would mention that she cried today, and when i asked her why she would say that she was afraid of the pool.  Her teacher did mention to me that she would cry once she is in the pool, which some how surprised me because little miss eager never showed any signs of nervousness.  I decided to leave work one day and visited her at the pool.  To my surprise in the distance i heard a child's voice screaming for dear life, as i came closer to the pool i realized that the screams belonged to Nyola, i couldn't believe this was my daughter who was so happy about pool day, screaming as if the instructor was taking away her life.

I wondered how could is show her that this is not as bad as it seemed.  A friend suggested that i started to take swimming lessons and take her along so that she might realize that once you are in the pool it is not so bad after all.  From the very first day of my class i took her along, she helped me pack my bag and of course reminded me i had to pay the driver when we were exiting the maxi.  She paid particular attention to me amongst all the other students and quickly realized that i am not crying which she called me to tell me.  I forgot to mention she was 3 years at the time.  I had to explain that the man is just helping mommy learn how to swim and that is exactly what Aunty Leslie was trying to do when you are in her pool.

Friday came and we proceeded with the same routine with her packing her bag and getting herself ready for the pool.  Nyola came home that evening with a big smile on her face telling me that she did not cry today in the pool and that Aunty Leslie was trying to help her learn to swim.  I realized that children are sometimes scared of the unknown so to are we, and as parents we can help them get over the fear that they may have by just listening to them.  If i hadn't decided to listen to that small voice today she may have been afraid to do alot of things and not even giving it a try.  We as parents must listen to our kids even when they think we are not listening.

NLG

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