When my daughter was about 3 months old, I remember having discussions with my girls; who were already mothers. And I specifically remember one of them saying “You know Rach, because you travel so much and you’re always around a swimming pool or sea. I think you should sign her up for swimming classes, just in case something where to happen. At least you know she can swim.” It made sense to me, so much so I brought the idea up to my husband. And we agreed that she should start swimming classes as soon as she turned 6 months.
We signed her up and attended swim classes once a week with her. Initially she loved it but as time passed I soon realised that she enjoyed the singing part of the class more than the actual swimming. When she had to do any of the swimming exercises she would cry and complain, but the moments she spent singing she enjoyed. I’m not going to lie I really wanted her to enjoy swimming because in my mind she would be the South African version of Simone Manuel. But alas my daughter had a different passion, she loved to sing.
We kept going to swimming classes just to make sure that she really didn’t like it or if it was just a phase she was going through. After about 8 lessons of dealing with a toddler screaming because she didn’t want to be there, we decided to stop the swimming classes and sign her up for music classes.
This were we actually understood and accepted that our daughter was a very musical child. She loves her music class so much, that if she had it her way she would go there every day. I’m sure you’re asking yourself if we will ever take her back to swim class? Well, the answer to that is definitely yes. We feel it is important that she learns to swim, although she may never be the next Simone Manuel.
Honestly what I learned from this experience is that we need to let our children choose their paths, all we must do is guide them. Although she just a toddler, but she has her own passions and I feel as a parent I would be failing her if I didn’t support her in every way possible. Deep down I still hope she will decide to be a gold medal winning swimmer. As mother always says “Hope dies last.”
Have your kids deferred a dream you had for them? Please comment down below.
Love and Light
Rach…