Ava's first week of swim lessons

  Ava started swim lessons this week.  She's been talking about it for months and telling everyone she meets that she's doing it.  Talk about ready.  The first day went amazing and she loved it!  I was so proud.

   Fast forward to tuesday, I went to go sign her up for more swim lessons in the office during her lesson.  She had to go to the bathroom and I was no where to be found.  A lifeguard took her and I am kicking myself for not just staying!  Hysterical, I found her when I came back to the pool deck, and she did nothing the rest of tuesday's lesson.  Or wednesday's.  Or thursday's lesson either (but at least she got in the water that time!).  I was SO frustrated!  In between all of those days there was A LOT of talking up swim lessons and talking about how I am never going to leave the deck, etc.  It wasn't like she was scared of the water because she was still in the water swimming away, just wouldn't do her lesson.  I definitely think she was a bit traumatized from that, but there were definitely elements of STUBBORN that were in play.  I cancelled the lessons I signed her up for during the whole missing Mama debacle and didn't know what else to do!  I was ready to just not show up, it was so stressful!

  Until we thought of something we seriously NEVER do.  Bribe.

   And it worked!  I thought she might even be too stubborn for bribing because it didn't work until about half way through the lesson today.  After about the third reminder of her treat waiting for her, she started swimming and jumping to her teacher like nobody's business.  And had fun, I must add!

  She came out of the pool telling us some grand ole story and Calvin was waiting with a high five.  There are some non-negotiables that I do not recommend bribing as a good parenting method.  In this case, it totally worked and I am SO glad!

I hope this video plays for you!  She's a little fish!

Happy friday!