A jenerek family

Ryan on Swimming Lessons

It has recently occured to me that Ryan must be growing up. He has quite a few friends who he plays with on a regular basis, including two five-year-old boys in the neighborhood. The bigger boys have always been competitive about who is first and strongest and biggest but Ryan seemed oblivious to it all until just recently. William is taking swimming lessons and Ryan will sometimes talk about it with me.

Last week -

Ryan: "William is bigger than me because he takes swim lessons."

Me: "He does take swimming lessons. You could take swimming lessons too you know. You aren't too little. You can take swimming lessons whenever you want to, just tell me when you're ready and we can sign you up."

Ryan: "Okay, I will. I will be really happy when I get bigger. You're really nice Mom."

Then today it went like this -

Ryan: "I'm really big. I'm bigger than William."

Me: "Well, William will always be older than you because he was born before you were born."

Ryan: "No, I'm bigger. Mom, I need to take swim lessons."

Me: "Okay, sounds good."

Ryan: "Let's go."

Me: "It's pretty late right now. (7pm) We have to sign up for swimming lessons. If you are ready then we can call someone and sign you up for a class. Then you can start going to swimming lessons. You will need to put your head under the water if you are in swimming lessons."

Ryan: "But I don't really like to do that."

Me: "Well, maybe we can wait to do swimming lessons until you're ready to put your head under the water."

Ryan: "Does William put his head under the water?"

Me: "Yes, he does. They taught him how and he isn't scared. You just have to hold your breath like this (demonstrated)"

Ryan: "Okay, I'll tell you when I'm ready for swim lessons." (then a minute or two later) "Moms put their heads under water don't they?"

Me: "Yes, we do."

Ryan: "Big Mommy!"