Whole Life Fitness

Moving to Florida a few years ago Braydon wasn’t walking yet and we hadn’t even thought about having a second child at that point. Watching Braydon in the water was easy enough for Ryan and I, considering we were always holding him. He was fine being splashed or hit with waves, as long as we wiped his eyes after and kept his head above water. He knew how to kick but never really moved anywhere and would sort of just start to sink, but it was okay because we were always holding onto him, or so I thought. Now, after having Walker I realized, how in the heck am I going to take both of the boys to the pool or beach (still a challenge tho) when Ryan is away or at work? I clearly will have to always have my hands on Walker, whether he’s in a float or not and I still needed to hold on to Braydon every moment too. Not possible for one mama! Insert- swim lessons at Whole Life Fitness.

At the beginning of the week we started with just focusing on getting both of the boys relaxed and comfortable in the water without constantly being held up against us. Catherine taught Braydon the importance of sitting on the stairs when Ryan or I were working with Walker, as well as counting the stairs out loud every time Braydon entered the water to give us a warning he was coming in.  Catherine then progressed us with the 1..2..3.. blow in their face and then release the boys into the water method. This gives them a consistent warning each time as well as blowing in their face causes them to inhale and hold their breath to go under so they do not inhale the water. 

By the end of the week Braydon was monkey crawling around the side of the pool, knew how to jump in and swim right to Ryan or myself (about 3 feet away from him) and also swim from us to the side and climb out without using the stairs or a ladder! I feel so much more comfortable now knowing that Braydon can make it to the side and back out of the pool in the emergency that we don’t see him right away if he falls or jumps in. 

Walker is still going to take a little more work-he is not quite 4 months old yet. He did learn that if he goes under to flip and relax and let his face float above the water. He got really good at letting his body relax when we were holding his head up but getting his head to stay above the water on his own is going to take a little longer-which will come with age!

If you are visiting Destin, #30a or Panama City I highly recommend signing your kids up for a week with Mrs. Catherine. You will be shocked by the amount of things your child can learn and be taught in such a quick amount of time with consistent teaching and training! We are hoping to go back for a refresher course at the end of summer so maybe I will see you there!!