Sink or Swim

I haven't been doing too well this summer on taking a break for the Sabbath, which is definitely rendering me way ineffective during the week. So, following my own advice, I made certain to take Joey to the pool Sunday afternoon. We love it there!

He has been bugging me to take the Swim Test for months. He is a good swimmer, but I wasn't too certain that he could pass: swimming a lap, floating on his back, treading water in the deep end for a minute. My skinny little guppy? Who'd just started putting his head in the water this season? I really wasn't expecting much. But, knowing that he had people there to support him, I encouraged him to try.

I stood there by the pool where he successfully gained a yellow band - allowing him independent swimming privileges in safer parts of the pool. Then they allowed him to take the test for the oh-so-coveted green band, which allow him to go diving and sliding into deep water. The kids with their brand new yellow bands gleefully skipped over to take the second part of the test.

The other parents swarmed in, a bit too over-enthusiastic in rooting on their children. A bit distracting I found. I stood in watch, ready to jump in if I began to see my little one struggle.

But he didn't.

As the other children began to sink down or reach for the wall, my little guppy persevered with great strength and consistency. I was in awe! As the countdown for the last ten seconds began, I looked for him to tire as all but one other had. But he didn't!

By giving him room to achieve his goal, the win was all that much sweeter. Some children are raised with high expectations, and some with lower ones. Many of both groups have struggled to keep their heads above water as adults. So which set of expectations should I use for my child? I'm starting to see the answer is somewhere in between: love them, encourage them to pursue their goals, keep expectations reasonable and give them the space to grow.