Just keep swimming, just keep swimming, just keep swimming

Tok has always had issues with spaces that have poor acoustics - swimming pools, photographer studios, bathrooms and the like - he used to be absolutely TERRIFIED of bath time, it was always an epic battle that involved lots of tears (his and mine).

Over the last couple of years we have persevered and he is now able to cope with bath time (as long as we don't wash his hair) and he'll stay in the bathroom when the shower is turned on (but won't go anywhere near it).

Towards the end of last year we went on holiday and I made it my mission to get Tok into the paddling pool.

Everyday we all traipsed down to the pool, the siblings would merrily launch themselves into the deep end, throw themselves down the slide and generally enjoy themselves.

Tok would stare, tremble a little and keep asking to "go home". Bit by bit (sounds like my SALT training) we got closer and closer to the pool. Lots of comfort, lots of reassurance, sitting on the edge, dipping our toes in, getting used to the "pool" concept. On the last day of our holiday, SUCCESS! We went into the paddling pool, he was somewhat nervous at first but within minutes merrily splashing around and going down the toddler water slide - talk about from zero to hero! That's Tok all over though, it might take him a while but when he "get's it" he is off!

That was last year, this Easter break one of his siblings is having swimming lessons everyday. It's been a few months since that one and only time he's been in a pool and you could have blown me away when, whilst watching us get ready for the lesson, he announced "I want to go splish splash whoosh swimming".

Suffice to say, he only lasted 45 seconds with the instructor and I had to take him out as he was disrupting the class somewhat, but the next day he went back and lasted around 3 minutes - he walked the entire width of the junior pool (the instructor got him to run to mummy *cunning*). Yesterday I went in the pool with him and for half an hour we had a fabulous time throwing toys around, and I slowly tempted him deeper and deeper (bit by bit again) into the pool and made it all the way to his belly button. Can't wait to see what we will achieve today!

It's challenging at times, but there is no greater prize than your efforts being rewarded with your child adding to their repertoire of abilities, language, knowledge and social skills.

-- Mum of Tok