The joys of swimming.

Every Monday Karen and I swap. I stay at home with my son. It works well as Karen gets to get out to work and I get to spend time with Isaac. I don't know about you but as a dad, I feel guilty at the time I am not spending with him. My Monday really makes a difference.  It takes about 4-6 weeks until you settle into your own routine. It's about the same time that your wife or partner start to trust that you'll not lose or damage your child!

I recently started swimming. Well, I say swimming. It's more like 30 mins of trying to get your child in and out of various outfits. 25 mins hoping he will not fill his waterproof nappy, followed by 20 mins of trauma in a cold swimming pool with the occasional splashing. I think there is a market for a warm swimming pool. As the weeks have progressed, he seems to be cracking the odd smile, in between clutching on to me for dear life. Not sure if we're bonding or he's in survival mode. However, he's getting really good at not playing any of the games, and trying to climb out of the swimming pool. When they create an Olympic event for that, we're in.

I remember the first time we went. I was aware that besides seeing a gaenacoligist, a women in her swimming costume is as vulnerable as it gets. So I didn't know how well received a man would be. I arrived at the leisure centre and there was a queue. For some reason all my concerns hit me at once and I became quite paranoid and started to sweat. My mind talk was saying, "they think you've stolen this child," and "they think you're a pedophile." I think I said "i'm swimming with my son" 8 times and each time I either lost my voice or spoke with a very high voice.

When I got into the pool the other ladies looked slightly uncomfortable. Not in a nasty way. They just aren't used to seeing men in their groups. I'm used to it now. We exchanged pleasantries, then as soon as the class started, they showed their true colours. They all moved with military precision as if they had all studied a class manual beforehand. I was always a second behind and turned left instead of right.  I was sure they had special shoes on as I was always an inch from falling over! All that isn't noticed as you get serious kudos from the other mums for trying! Also, mid-week Isaac tends to want his mum more, but after spending most of the weekend with him and Monday, he grows closer to me each time. Kids really appreciate time. I'd thoroughly recommend it.

Chris