Mutterings Of A Mindless Mommy

Perhaps I should use the word meltdown instead of tantrum - however you say it, it is still the same thing.  Wednesday was my son’s first day of school and thankfully he had a good day at school.  Unfortunately that didn’t transfer over to his swim lessons that started about 45 minutes after school let out.  I had water and a favorite snack available for him in the car hoping that would help.  We got to swim lessons and he changed pretty readily and with a smile on his face got into the pool.  He’s usually a bit head-strong while in swim lessons so when he started out like this I didn’t think anything of it.  The class is just my two children and the instructor so it’s OK if he’s a bit spirited as no one else is missing out besides his little sis.

Well about halfway through the class things took a downward turn.  He was upset and didn’t want to do a dive.  He finally did a dive and then when the instructor helped him roll over to a back float (called the airplane) Alexander got mad.  Not sure why but he flipped, he started screaming, flailing, etc and tried to slap the teacher in the head.  She got him calmed down and he did his back float then came back to the stairs to wait while Ava had her turn.  When it came back to Alex he refused to get out of the pool and walk to do more dives.  When he finally got out of the pool he started kicking the toys into the pool.  At this point I stepped in and told Alex that he was done with swim lessons for the day.  We were walking to the door so I could dress him and he ‘escaped’ and ran back and got into the pool.  The instructor lifted him out for me (she’s great by the way) and I wrapped him in the towel and told him he could stand with me for the remainder of the class.  When it was over and Ava got out Alex grabbed a noodle and tried to hit the instructor.  Yikes! 

I know he was in sensory overload.  I know he was tired.  I know he had a long day.  I know it took all of his energy to get through school but I was still embarassed.  There was another mom in the room (at the other end of the large pool) who just kept staring my way.  I didn’t have it in me to say anything, I just led the kids out and got them to the dressing room.  Another battle ensued - Alexander refused to get dressed.  He wanted to wear his wet swim trunks.  I told him no because I knew the second he sat down in the car in them he’d freak out and want them off.  He hates staying in a wet swimsuit.  I ended up doing the majority of his undressing/dressing and a mom in the dressing room said “You’ve got a headstrong one there.”  I just smiled. 

Tonight should be interesting as Alex has occupational therapy at 3:30 (school is out at 2:45).  Occupational therapy is always a bit of a challenge for him - going there after a long day (and week) at school is going to be exciting to say the least.  Fingers crossed it goes well!