...but not good enough for a lollipop.
Kate had her 15 month check-up this morning and, as usual, Dr. A offered Padyn a sticker or a lollipop for being such an excellent big sister. I told Padyn she could have the lollipop after she STAYED IN THE POOL and LISTENED TO HER SWIM TEACHERS that day. Padyn agreed and off we went to swim lessons.
I was more hopeful today. She put her feet in when the instructors told her, and she reluctantly slid down to sit on the grate on the edge of the pool. I reminded her of the lollipop and I walked over to the parent hang out spot in the shade. I crossed my fingers and Padyn tearfully let her teacher guide her into the water. I was thinking we were all set for a good lesson. But when I looked back 30 seconds later, she was on the pool deck again.
(For those of you who didn't read yesterday's post or know nothing about my child, you need to understand that she LOVES swimming. LOVES it. Can do it all by herself. Jumps in, kicks, glides, floats, swims out to me, back to the steps, to the wall...No fear...)
I strode over and gently reminded her that this behavior would not get her the lollipop. She, of course, flipped out, started crying hysterically, and really didn't want to get back in. I told her to stop crying, she was fine, and to get back in the pool. I walked away leaving it up to the teachers to decide how to handle it. Obviously, I wasn't helping the situation.
So, the next 25 minutes she spent most of the time on the deck again. Two new teachers spent the whole time with her in an attempt to convince her to get back in. Twice the other instructor came over, took her for a float (the first time of which she cried and the second she just looked pissy), and then she went back to sitting on the deck.
No lollipop. Can you picture how that went over? Hysterical fit on the deck, in the dressing room and all the way to the car. She finally calmed down when I told her she deserved two M&M's for doing better than yesterday, but she wasn't going to get them if she was crying.
So, back again tomorrow to try for that lollipop a second time. What else can I do?
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3 comments:
Don't ya love paying for an activity or class that you're sure your child will ADORE to only get there and have to deal with fit throwing? Ahh...the joys of parenting. They say women are hard to figure out - obviously children are worse!
I identify so much with the bribes and tantrums. I do not feel good about it at all, but I don't really know what else to do. Maybe tomorrow she'll swim...good luck.
I'm glad to hear that Padyn went in the water. I can't imagine her not wanting to swim! Caitlin is going through a fear of water phase, so I identify with you in the fact that my child is not doing what she normally loves to do. I tend to forget to see the light at the end of the tunnel when we're in the middle of a not-so-fun phase! Good luck with the lollipop tomorrow. They work well on my kids (notice the plural).
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