tallgirl17
01-14-2012, 10:08 PM
I started my daughter in swim lessons when she was 6 months old. 3 months ago she finally was promoted to a big girl class where she would be on her own, no longer with mom. She was 23 months old at the time. She did very well and didnt seem to even notice or care that I was now behind the glass wall watching her instead of spashing around with her. That was until we had a 2 week break for the holidays. Her first class in the new year she cried as soon as I left her at the pool door and she was screaming "mommy". Her instructor and I were both in shock as she had never cried during a class not once since starting her at 6 months old. Her instructor suggested I sit beside the pool to see if that would help, but she would not let go. We ended up leaving without finishing the class. I took her for a make up lesson 2 days later and the same thing, tears and screaming. The instructor that day took my screaming child and suggested I leave the pool area which I did but she could still see me so I ended up sitting in the locker room for the remainder of the class and she finally calmed down and enjoyed about 5 mins of class. Today was her regular lesson and again tears and screaming. I sat with her and together we watched her class and 15 mins in she finally joined in. When i saw that she was comfortable again, i tried to sneak out but she saw me and started to cry so i stayed until the class was over. I just don't understand how my very independent little girl suddenly became so clingy and attached to me and how something so routine (every Sat for a year and a half) became so scary for her? Is this just a phase? What's the best way to deal with this?