Leah Macaulay
Dear Judy,
I just dropped my 4.5 year old off at preschool after swim lessons today to hear him proudly declare “I swam slapping the water (strokes) from the castle to the deep end of the pool today all by myself”. That moment made me realize that we have gotten so much more out of swim lessons than swimming (that’s the bonus!!) and I wanted to let you know how much I believe in your program.
As you know my 4.5 year old has been in swim lessons since he was 6 months old. Before he started lessons with you, he would panic in the deep part of the pool and be over confident in the shallow. After six lessons with you (that is approx. 1 hour total time) he did the swim-float-swim to the deep end of the pool and back. I’ve never seen him so proud of himself as he was that day! Also at the end of that same week one of his preschool teachers stopped me and said hey what’s going on with Cameron – this has been the best week he’s EVER had in 2 years. He’s so confident and social, it’s amazing. That’s exactly what I think – amazing!
There’s also my 3 year old little boy who is the one that I originally setup to swim with you because he was completely frightened of the water. We are going to Spain in May where Grandpa has a pool in the backyard and access to the beach and I wanted him to be safe and enjoy this wonderful opportunity. He did his clothing test today and I am still just amazed that 5 weeks ago he would cling to us at the pool. He loves swimming with you so much and now he gives swim lessons to everyone else “now you look at my fwipper”!
That brings us to the baby (boy #3) – 7 months old – who early on was such a struggle for me (not so much for him as for me). Your endless support, including our daily phone calls, really got me through that first week and I can say I’m so glad I stuck with it. You also gave me some really good advice – if you can’t support him in this program then pull him out. He looks to you and your reactions and that is a huge factor in his success. That piece of advice pretty much applies to all my children as they go through life – they will reflect my outlook and my attitude. Again as I watched him at his final lesson rolling over and floating with the basic survival skill – I simply say thank you.
I came to you to teach one of my little boys and now I have three little boys that are happy and confident in the water. I think this experience has shown them at a very young age that working hard for something instills a sense of self pride and self confidence not only in swimming but in so many other aspects of their life.
IAS by far has been the most rewarding thing I’ve ever done with my children. THANK YOU for not only giving my children the gift of swimming but for so much more. I feel like I am a stronger person and parent. I feel proud of myself because honestly it was hard, physically and emotionally, to go through this program with three kids at the same time. It required a lot of tough love but with all the time, effort and commitment I put forth, I can say I DID THIS! I gave them a skill they will have forever and I taught them something about themselves they will use forever. I am recommending you to everyone – JUST DO IT!
