Swim Team: A Summertime Phenomenon

I find it hard to believe that I’m actually saying this, but I’m going to miss swim team when it’s all said and done. Tonight was meant to be the last swim meet of the season, but due to thunder and lightning the meet has been rescheduled for tomorrow evening…And I actually found myself grinning from ear to ear, happy to be extending the swim season for just one more day. How can this be, you ask? Well, I must admit that I’m quite surprised myself! After all, daily practices with a toddler and a newborn in tow have been anything but peaceful – we’ve spent many hot afternoons at practice, and had many-a-toddler-meltdown on the way out of the pool. At least one of my three children is always crying when we get into the car, sopping wet and starving for a dinner that isn’t yet prepared! Wriggling wet little bodies out of bathing suits and into dry clothes in a sweltering car, piling loads of wet pool gear into the front seat – what am I, a glutton for punishment?

I can only come up with the following explanation: I desperately need the structure that the daily commitment of swim team has given us. Despite the heat and the hassle, I have appreciated that every day at the same time, we are expected to be at the pool for practice. My big boy will have 45 minutes of exercise and interaction with his friends, my toddler will get some time in the baby pool with other little people, and my infant, well, she’ll have some one-on-one time with mommy in the shade. It has given us something to look forward to and something to wind down from. My big boy loves swim meets – being part of a team, getting ribbons (yes, there is even a ribbon for 6th place!), having lots of time to play with friends in-between events – and I’ve given myself the luxury of a sitter for my toddler during the meets. I enjoy meets because of the chance to visit with neighborhood friends, and also because I’ve loved watching my son’s progress throughout the season.

I know that someday soon, I’ll be bemoaning the fact that I’m driving my children from one activity to the next, but for now, in my world of only one outside-the-house activity, I am very grateful for the structure that swimming has given us. Yes, swim team, we’re going to miss you!