After over a year, during which we took a break for sanity reasons (mind not his), and four attempts, I am proud to announce that we have a Super Pike in our family.
Some people may credit the many, many trips to the YMCA, the numerous hours spent bolstering his confidence in his ability to just be in the water, my almost super human powers used to overcome extreme hatred/horror of the microbes lurking in public changing rooms, or the gentle coaxing and/or manipulation needed just to get him in the car and off to the next swim lesson. Any combination of those things sounds like a plausible reason for his success and I think they are all a factor, but there is one additional factor that I don’t think should be overlooked. The goldfish cracker.
The reason Carter was able to finally move up from Pike to Super Pike in the grand world of preschool age swim lessons was due to a fluke, pre-swim snack, the goldfish cracker. In a moment of brilliance, or whatever, I made an off handed comment to Carter about how all those goldfish crackers in his belly would help him to float. I told him to imagine all those little cracker fish swimming merrily along in his tummy helping to keep him afloat. He looked at me as if I was crazy and kept eating his beloved crackers. It was shortly after the goldfish cracker comment that his swimming and floating abilities started to dramatically improve. I also noticed that he started asking for a goldfish cracker snack right before we were heading out to the pool.
Coincidence? Maybe, but I am just superstitious enough to keep plying him with his fish shaped crackers every Tuesday and Thursday morning on our drive to the Y.
Shoes On The Wrong Feet 
WooHoo!! Congratulations! What a terrific Super Pike he is too (goldfish holding him a float or not)..:-)
I am just so proud of him for overcoming his great fear of putting his face in the water. He has improved so much and is actually enjoying swimming now. I am glad they kept holding him back in the Pike class until he was truly ready to move up. Here we come Super Pikes!! 🙂
I’m of the school of “If it works, don’t knock it!” I really enjoyed the idea of the goldfish crackers helping him swim 🙂 Congrats to him!
My dad used to say “If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it.” Carter and the goldfish cracker system seems to be working out for us so we will stay the course. 🙂
Creative! I like the way you think.
One must be creative in motherhood, as you know. So it is goldfish crackers for us.
Way to go Carter – swimming w/the big fishes now.
I am so happy that he is actually enjoying swimming, it makes Tuesday and Thursday mornings so much nicer now.
Goldfish crackers! Brilliant
Hehehe – thanks. 😉
Hey Shoes: Congrats to Carter and to you!
I remember the days of public pools and swim lessons and I know how it is. i wish would have known about the goldfish though back in the “Otter days”
The first swim class he cried and was terrified to be in the water without me. It was awful to watch and so hard to get him to the Y twice a week. I am so proud of how far he has come. It is such fun to see him out there enjoying himself. I do wonder if he thinks of the goldfish in his belly as he is floating on his back. Otter days – 🙂
Yeeaaahhh for Carter!!! So proud of him! I miss reading you! I miss my friend but you are all on my heart alot!Love you!
Both Carter and I were pretty excited about it! 🙂
You are very sweet. I am so glad you are doing well and able to post little updates when you can, they are a joy to read (and I love the pictures so much!)
Congratulations Carter! 🙂
Carter the Super Pike – it has a nice ring to it, doesn’t it? 🙂
It certainly does. 🙂
That’s awesome! I may have to try the fish cracker thing! My oldest is scared of water!!
I liked the imagery of those little fish crackers swimming in his tummy and helping him float. I don’t know if it worked but I say give it a try! 🙂
Adorable! And, totally harmless. In certain situations, I am all for a little white lie to your kids. Good for Carter!
The little white lie can come in handy sometimes. I think I worded it is such a way that the goldfish crackers “might” or “could” help him to float – the power of suggestion is a powerful thing. Carter has a week off swim lessons and then it is on to Super Pike!
I never underestimate the power of Goldfish! Those (and trips to the dollar bin at Target) are how we got our oldest to get over his fear of the potty 🙂 They have to be the originals – the multi-colored fishies aren’t nearly as enticing in our house!
At our house we are all about the multi-colored goldfish. They really do have some sort of magical fish power. 🙂
Swimming is either super fun or super torturous. I have the kid too for whom it was torture. He loves it now but is still in level one with 3 year olds. He’s almost 6. That is now the motivator to swim because little brother will be signed up for the next round. Good on your Pike!
I am just so glad he does not cry on the way to the Y anymore and that, at least when he is in the pool, he seems to enjoy swimming. It sounds like your guy, now that he loves it, will be moving up to the next level of swim soon! Fingers crossed for you guys on a super swimmer.