All wet
The week of L’s first birthday is upon us, and here at the Villano ranch we’ve been spending inordinate amounts of energy thinking about water.
The good news: Today Powergirl took the baby for her first-ever swim lesson at our gym (she loved it and didn’t want to get out of the pool). The bad news: For some bizarre reason that neither of us can figure out, this weekend L decided she is afraid of the bathtub, and she refuses to submit for a tubby without crying hysterically.
Each situation deserves further reflection.
According to Powergirl, the baby loved the pool, kicking and frolicking like a 16-month-old. She managed to get underwater a few times. She also apparently mastered the art of jumping from one step to the next.
Of course I saw none of this first-hand. It’s not that I was busy; I opted not to go because I know I’m far too neurotic and high-strung to have stayed calm. (As an aside, I did inquire at the gym about taking a triple-shot of bourbon into the pool with me to calm the nerves. Not surprisingly, the manager laughed at me, then gave a resounding “no.”)
At some point in the future, I hope to work up the courage (or work out my angst) to accompany my girls on one of L’s swim lessons. Until then, I’ll have to settle for second-hand.
The tub development, however, is one I’ve experienced for myself.
L’s behavior toward tubbies changed markedly this weekend, and since then we’ve been grasping at solutions to make things right.
Upon the suggestion of our nanny (whom we love, by the way), we tried buying L new bath toys. That didn’t work. We also have taken turns climbing into the tub with her (it was my turn tonight). That didn’t really work either.
Our next strategy is to face backward so she can’t see the drain or any other feature that might be scaring her. If that doesn’t work, we may have to break out the heavy artillery (aka sprinklers).
Whatever happens in the tub, juxtaposing that situation with L’s grand time in the pool raises some perplexing questions. Why would she hate one self-contained area of water but love another? What’s more, how (if at all) can we replicate the pool experience in the tub to feel more comfortable there?
Any suggestions on this subject are welcome. At this point, Powergirl and I are out of answers.
You’ll just have to put a pool in the backyard, Matt, and cover it for bad weather-day baths!
Love, Dad
Matt,
Just when you think you’ve got it all figured out, they change the rules on you. Have you tried putting her in the tub, but not filling it up? It’s what we call a “stand up bath” in our house. You might also try giving her a bath in the kitchen sink. I have back problems, so that worked well for us for a long time. It also gives L a change of scene.
Good luck!
Best,
Meredith
Hey Matt – hope all is fabulous in Hawaii! I just found this post and had to laugh – i don’t know what causes it, but it happens to almost every baby at some point. S went through a few weeks where she just HATED the bath – this from a child who had loved to splash around in the tub since she was a tiny baby. I conferred with some other parents; lo and behold, their kids did the same thing. Then, as quickly as it shows up, it disappears. I think after a couple of weeks, she was back to enjoying it. As a matter of fact, I hope by the time you read this, your girl is happily back in the tub.
If not, consider her swim lessons her bath for now. Chlorine kills a lot of germs.
Libby