The kids have to be in Grade 4 or above, and able to swim 50 metres, to volunteer for the school swimming carnival. When the PE teacher first announced it to Climber's class and asked who wanted to participate, Climber refused, on the grounds that he didn't think he could cope with it being competitive - chiefly, I suspect, because he knows he's the sort of kid who desperately minds (and could easily cry) if he does badly, and obviously nobody wants that sort of shame or misery. In complete ignorance of this, I read the announcement in the school newsletter and got all enthusiastic, because I know he's quite a good swimmer, and in my head school swimming carnivals were a fun day out. I was therefore very surprised when he said he wasn't going to do it; the result of which was him having a little breakdown, because then he felt dreadful about letting me down. But we talked it through - several times - and agreed that (a) he was a good swimmer and ought to give it a go and (b) it would be impossible to disappoint me, even if he fell in at the start of the race and had to be pulled out with a net.
On the day he made me burst with pride. He made the finals of all the events he tried (freestyle, backstroke, breaststroke), even though he was competing against boys who were generally 8-14 months older than him. And he got 4th place in the backstroke final, which gave him the all-important and much coveted ribbon. Then he got 3rd in the diving, and another ribbon. He was happy, I was over the moon. I'm pretty sure I was also the most embarrassing parent at the event, actually standing at the end of the pool yelling Go Climber while the other parents sat more sedately in their chairs to cheer.
But with any luck they won't ban me from coming next year.
So Fabulous!
ReplyDeleteIsn't that a wonderful feeling (for us and them) when they accomplish something they were really afraid they couldn't do.
The angst leading up to it, not so fun, but the actual accomplishment, amazing.
Oh, and PS he's going to the District! For backstroke, probably the relay.
ReplyDeleteYay for Climber!
ReplyDeleteYay Climber! I hope he's pinned his ribbons up somewhere!
ReplyDeleteO well done Climber (and I'm sure they will let you back in)
ReplyDeleteOh Yay !!!!
ReplyDeleteI was the one that fell in and had to be fished out with a net. Seriously. I had to do that stupid "safety step" into the pool, swallowed a lungful of water and sunk to the bottom. The teacher had to jump in and fish me out.
To this day, I can dog paddle/frog swim but that's about it.
But enough about me. How good is that kid of yours!
And phooey to sedately sitting in the stands, I would have been running along side the pool!
I'm laughing at the picture of you standing at the end of the pool cheering. That'd be me too, thoroughly embarrassing my children.
ReplyDeleteYay for Climber!
Crikey. We have those sort of conversations involving possible tears and dragging out with nets all the time. Which is why I am then the SOOKIEST, PROUDEST, STAND UP CHEERER Mum when my kids conquer their fears and damn well do it anyway. GO CLIMBER! (I wasn’t sitting sedately in a chair just then either).
ReplyDeleteGo Climber indeed! I especially loved and laughed at your not being able to be disappointed in him ever!
ReplyDeleteHooray, Climber!
ReplyDeleteWhat a great result!! It's great that he realised that he had potential he didn't even know he had!
ReplyDeleteCoincidentally my Year 4 boy went in his first carnival this year. He too was very unsure about it. I couldn't be there because I was interstate. I was just hoping he'd make it to the end of the pool without being fished out half way. He was so excited that night to tell me he came 2nd in his freestyle heat. He was so chuffed. And I was soooo proud of him.
Well done Climber! I love a swimming carnival...being a multi-carnival veteren myself.
ReplyDeleteWell done. Not just a climber, but a swimmer too!
ReplyDelete"It was quite surprising how often we had to say it." Welcome to my world...
Well done Climber! I would have been yelling like a mad person too!
ReplyDeleteWell done Climber! I shall have to tell Conor about it as he also had the opportunity to go, but didn't want to. I should have forced the issue more.
ReplyDeleteYou yell and scream all you like - it's your job to do so.
Go Climber! But of course wu don't really care how well our children do. We just want them to br happy. "Just!" Ha! Simple!
ReplyDeleteWu? Br? I was typing this with one hand while having a very long phone call with my husband's aunt. Multi-tasking is clearly beyond me...
ReplyDeleteGo climber! He looks so thrilled!
ReplyDeleteI miss school swimming carnivals ...... They were great days for all concerned, except the day when I discovered (mid-carnival) that my youngest had head lice, by observing a lot of them treating her damp hair like monkey bars.
ReplyDeleteOvershare?
Congratulations to Climber!
BTW enthusiastic parenting is nothing to be ashamed of, but you knew that
Big Congratulations to Climber. Also to you, for your wonderful encouragment.
ReplyDelete