Last weeks climb is nothing in comparison to today’s challenge.
Today though was a very different type of challenge, this one was more of an anxiety, need for preparation and gaining some control over a situation.
I explain my WHY in What does …… Today was one of those days; the kind of day where something out of my control was happening, something I couldn’t hide away from and something I didn’t want to hide from.
Because if I did, I would be disappointing and letting my son down.
So, time for a plan…..
My son was invited to a swim party! A party where I was required to be in the water with him, something we had done before…. But never like this!
This was different, it was in a pool I had never been to, it was in a party environment, so I didn’t know if there would be lights, music or inflatables. Oh and it was with many of the mums and dads from the school playground!
I set to work, I had a plan…. I was not going to let my son down, I WAS NOT going to let his friend and her family down by bailing out (I have paid for numerous birthday parties and know just how much they cost)
The pool and leisure centre was one that I had actually used before….. All be it 19 Years ago, before it was fully refurbished and renovated though.
This was a positive though …. The wonders of the Internet and EVERYTHING being online I was able to find a floor plan of the new building, a ‘street view’ of the exterior and images from the centres website to put together enough information to make me feel like I knew where I was going. A virtual walk through if you like.
Then came my next worry, when in the pool, would I be able to see my son? Short answer is obvious….. No!
I didn’t want to ask another parent to look after him, I wanted to enjoy the party with him, but without keeping him all to myself and stopping him playing with his friends.
So, with his help I got from the changing rooms (where my cane was locked away) and into the pool. I headed for a space at the side as to not get in anyone’s way.
I initially heard him playing, but soon the noise increased and it was hard to make him out.
A casual “Hey, is Lawremce playing nicely?” Gave me a conversation starter to find out roughly where he was in the pool, so I could focus in. It was then a friend and fellow school mum said that she was keeping a look out for him as she knew I would find it tricky. And as he was playing with her son it wasn’t difficult !!
Lawrence is a confident paddler, the party was in the training pool and I wanted him to enjoy his time at the party, hence another WHY I had to be there…. Knowing that everyone in the pool was known by the party hosts enabled me to relax my fear of stranger danger.
At one point. He came over to me and asked if I wanted to play, we had a real laugh, he was guiding me, without guiding me (if that makes any sense)
The one hour swim part of the party was over too soon and not only had Lawrence had a fabulous time, I too had had the chance to relax and enjoy the party fun.
Please take a moment to answer in the comments below; a few little question for me…
1. Would you, previously have thought this was a bit obsessive?
2. Would you fear the opinion of your peers if you asked for support?
