Jul 30, 2012

Stupid Swimming Lessons Update

{Stupid Swimming Lessons}




Swimming Lessons ended on Thursday night.  You may recall that I attempted to speak with the director before leaving the pool that night, but was unsuccessful.  I called to leave a voice mail message for her, when we got home.

I was pleasantly surprised when she returned my phone call Friday morning.

I wasn't quite prepared for the call and I had to scramble downstairs to find the Progress Report so I could  specifically read to her what was written {I always hate confrontational moments like this.  I get very flustered and more than likely sound like an idiot!}

Once I was able to successfully locate the Progress Report I felt like I was able to talk with her a little more easily, however, I was still nervous {It's that darn people pleaser in me!}

I was grasping at straws as I began trying to gently explain my frustration with; not only the comments that were written, but the attitude the swimming teacher possessed, along with his lack of communication, and confidentiality.

My mind was put at ease as we talked and she understood my frustration.  She explained to me that part of the lifeguard and swim teacher training discussed communicating with parents.  The training also included giving swimmers specific skills to practice as they waited for their turn to work with the teacher individually.

After talking with B, I learned that the infamous 'messing around' occurred when they were told to stay by the wall while the teacher was working individually with another swimmer.  B was not told to practice kicking or arm strokes {he has been told to do this in the past with other swimming teachers}.  Again, I'm not excusing my son's behavior, but I am better able to understand that it happened because he was expected to just stay on a wall with 2 other kids his age.  He wasn't given anything constructive to do, so he found something to do, which wasn't a good choice.

Before our conversation concluded the director thanked me for bringing these items of frustration to her attention.  She went on to say that the swim teacher would not be able to grow without parent feedback.  The director also stated that they always try to make the program the best that it can be and talking with parents helps with that.

Now that the situation is done and over with I feel better knowing that I stood up for my child in a respectful way. 

I realize that the swimming instructor is young {even younger than I gave him credit for initially} and doesn't realize the effect of his words and actions have.  I hope that he will use this opportunity to learn and think before he acts in future.

Part of my heart still aches knowing that my son wasn't really ever given a fair chance to show the swim teacher that he does know how to listen and be respectful.  B is caring and kind and he wants to follow directions.  He just needs to know what the exceptions are that he should be following.

18 comments:

  1. It sounds like a wonderful phone call! I love the way you handled it.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Oh thank you so much. I was very nervous. I think mainly because I have been on the receiving end of yucky parent phone calls and I didn't want to be one of 'those' parents.

      Delete
  2. It is so painful when you get a semi-negative progress report. Especially one that isn't warranted! I've been there, Erin! Glad you talked with the head person.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you! I'm glad I was able to talk with her as well.

      I know not everyone is going to love my children the way that I do {I don't have any idea why j/k}, but they still need to be treated respectfully.

      Delete
  3. It sounds like you handled it well and wisely and the director listened respectfully, too. Well done! I'm sorry it hurt, but now that the air is cleared it sounds like all is on the way to being much better. And, he is only 6 and messing around in the pool with another kid while waiting for their turn seems COMPLETELY normal and age appropriate.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Why thank you my dear! I really felt like it was a good conversation despite the fact that I dreaded having to have it, but I figured if I don't defend him who will?

      You're right completely age appropriate for a 6 year old. I only wish it weren't my 6 year old, but hey it could be worse LOL!

      Delete
  4. It's good you spoke to the head honcho. Of course, your kids deserve to be treated respectfully.

    ReplyDelete
  5. Ugghh...I hate those kinds of phone calls, too. I still have to confront the ant guy and he's now blown me off twice. I'm glad you got to the bottom of things and hopefully the swim teacher will become a better teacher knowing your side of what happened.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Are you kidding me 2 times?! That's ridiculous! Now you seriously need to get that 'good review' back. Hopefully you can get someone to come and take care of the problem.

      I'm glad we got to the bottom of things as well. I'm hoping the swimming teacher will learn from this as well.

      Delete
  6. I'm glad you talked with the director and you were able to express your concerns. I hope the instructor takes this as an opportunity to do better next time.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you. I'm glad as well. I hope the instructor learns from this as well. Only time will tell. I do have to admit a part of me wanted to punch him . . . I know it's not nice *donin' a walk of shame*

      Delete
  7. I love a positive call like that. It's always a little nerve wracking leading in, but being received is so important.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Yes, it is nerve wracking to report someone's behavior and potentially challenge their training.

      Delete
  8. Yes. Boundaries. Kiddlewinkles need boundaries. You can't say "stand there quietly" to a child... because duh! Hold the wall and kick till your legs hurt... now that's doing something - a clear instruction with an associated action. I love kids. They will kick until they have no water in the pool, but don't ask them to stand quietly!

    ReplyDelete
  9. I'm glad to hear it worked out. Finding a match between instructor and child is hard, especially if the intructor is not following a tight program or familiar with children. It sounds like you took the complaint to the right person, and hopefully they can change they way instructors do their job.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. It is hard to find a match. I think there were 2 problems in this situation. The instructor was like 15 and he didn't take his job seriously {like some teenagers}. Unfortunately, when working with children you can't just blow them off. Hopefully, he learned this.

      Delete