Lake House Part Two.

[bloodsong1]

My concerns regarding the kiddos being bored were, for the most part, unfounded. C's family had a bunch of old fishing rods and my kids fished off the dock and the square barge for HOURS. They also had a good time in the water. There's a slide on the edge of the lake with rubber matting over cinder blocks at the bottom to secure it. Cuteness went down first and frightened herself with the big splash and her head going under. She didn't try the slide again, but she had fun splashing around in the shallows. IDK tried to swim out to the raft, couldn't make it, got a cramp on the way back and freaked out. SNB was close enough to rescue him. I stood on the deck and tried very hard not to cry at seeing my son in distress. I succeeded. He claims he almost drowned, everyone else agrees that he wasn't in any true danger.

IDK spent the rest of the day in a life jacket. Cuteness wasn't allowed near the water without one. Both children were sad to go, Cuteness more so. She does like the water, as long as she feels like she's in control. I have informed SNB that he will be the one to teach her to swim. IDK has the same problems I do, no natural buoyancy and little stamina. SNB intends to fix this over the summer, somehow.

I was the most bored of the group, as I only dipped my feet in the water a few times, finished the book I started and spent more time then I should have staring at my boyfriend and his buddies hanging out in the lake. They also disappeared into the house to play Risk for about four hours while I stayed outside and minded my children.

I'm actually looking forward to the July 4th weekend. The kiddos will be going to relatives and I won't have to fight my phobia quite as much. Looking at the lake water is hypnotizing. I could get really dizzy if I'm not careful.

Comments

[chezelliott.livejournal.com]

Skinny kids (fat kids float, trust me) need to be taught to swim. Actually, ALL kids need to be taught to swim. In a gentle and kind manner. I got thrown into the deep end in swim camp. Don't do that to your kids.

[bloodsong1.livejournal.com]

I would NEVER do that to my children. Marcus knows the basics of swimming. So do I. But it's a lot of work for both of us.

[sammisnake.livejournal.com]

I always forget you have that water thing....were you traumatized somehow? Or just naturally distrustful? I love the sensation of being immersed so much, it is well nigh impossible for me to imagine that sensation being a cause for fear. Immersed in spiders, yes...even exposed to ONE spider! But water is so soft and soothing, yet invigorating. When my back hurt so badly, I would step into the hotel pool and, as I sank into the water, feel the weight of the world being floated off my spine...heaven!
Glad the kids had fun, hope at some point you will be able to also!

[bloodsong1.livejournal.com]

I don't remember any specific incidents of trauma, but I've been afraid of water for most of my life. Even in swim class I was scared and I was a teenager!

Well, there was that one incident with an inflatable raft that got tipped over in the deep part of a reservoir swim area. I felt very calm as I yanked my friend's hair to get to the surface. We recovered the raft before the lifeguard had to come rescue us. But I was scared the entire time I was on the raft, so...

[sammisnake.livejournal.com]

I'm so sorry! Maybe we need to do a different kind of water ritiual for you....that would allow you to open yourself to the healing, joyful and enjoyable aspects, and let your fears float away. I have a chant-song I wrote to help me with my various fears, and would love to teach it to you sometime. The words are-
Hold me in your hands
I am safe within your grasp
Fold me in the bosom
Of your entirety.
And without fear I will cross your waters
And without fear, I will stand upon your Earth
And without fear, I will sail upon your winds
And without fear, I will wrap myself in the heat of your fiery Sun.
(repeast 1st stanza as needed)
Who knows? Like chicken soup, it Kent Hoight!