Not So Swimmingly
Bad Parenting Moments
By: Julie Ryan Evans
Swimming lessons didn’t start well for my son, which began when he was 3. The first couple of days consisted of him crying in fear, clinging to the side of the pool and generally ignoring any attempts to quiet or lure him into the water.
Having just moved from rainy Seattle where we rarely graced a swimming pool, I understood his apprehension. And really it only took a few days before he warmed up and was enamored with his pretty teacher, Miss Jo.
Toward the end of one particularly good lesson, I was so proud of him. I couldn’t wait to tell him how good he did and wrap him up in a towel with a hug. There was just one more thing they had to do-Simon Says.
“Simon says put your arms by your sides. Simon says blow Miss Jo a kiss,” she commanded. Then there was the final command, “Simon says give Miss Jo a high five,” and she went from child to child receiving one.
Then she came to mine. “Give me a high five,” she said.
There was a pause. Then I watched in one of those horrified, slow-motion moments as a huge mouthful of water went straight from my son’s mouth into her face.
She was justifiably upset. I was in shock. Parenting humiliation at its finest.
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