Comments on: You Know You Have the Answer

By: Like Mother Like Charlie

Like Mother Like Charlie — Sat, 14 Jun 2008 17:07:35 +0000

[...] has a few days off between the last day of school and the start of Extended School Year on Wednesday. We’ve only been visiting my family on the [...]

By: I Don’t Feel That I Suffer

I Don’t Feel That I Suffer — Wed, 11 Jun 2008 05:31:30 +0000

[...] is talking more than ever—as this weekend’s you know you have the answer [...]

By: Kristina Chew, PhD

Kristina Chew, PhD — Mon, 09 Jun 2008 16:37:48 +0000

The ocean is not discretionary—-it’s huge, simply. Problem is that Charlie heads straight out into the waves and indicating fear and anxiousness tends to result in him venturing out farther. I have to practice intense calmness.

Andrea, I learned how to swim because of Charlie; also, we used to swim in a pool that did not allow any sorts of flotation devices. This was actually good as Charlie had to learn to swim.

Yes, we’ll be going to the pool today……

By: Tanya

Tanya — Mon, 09 Jun 2008 13:48:31 +0000

Very timely post and I thank you! I’ve been driving myself batty with “what if’s” this week and the reminder “you know you have the answer” handed me a certain calm I haven’t felt in several days. Beautiful.

By: Andrea

Andrea — Mon, 09 Jun 2008 13:38:29 +0000

Wasn’t it a great day for the beach yesterday?

We don’t do the ocean, but the local lake. I understand exactly what you mean about that line of demarcation – Gus has trouble staying within the ropes at our lake. And he’s not that strong a swimmer yet, so we give him floaties and take swim classes as much as possible in the summer.

My solution last summer was to swim with my kids (using a big tube because I couldn’t swim) until they both understood their boundaries, so that may be your best solution. It helped me too because they were better swimmers than me, so I was motivated to learn to go at least as far as they could without my tube. Point is that Gus finally ‘got it’ with someone right next to him to constantly point out the boundaries.

Good luck & stay cool today!

By: Daisy

Daisy — Mon, 09 Jun 2008 12:49:16 +0000

Parents are a child’s first and strongest teachers. You and Jim are always thinking; thinking of the here and now, and thinking of the future. Charlie is a lucky boy.

By: Linda

Linda — Mon, 09 Jun 2008 12:48:43 +0000

Yes, concrete rules consistently enforced. You may need to abruptly leave the beach to underline the point. I love how you pick your battles (fleece staying in back seat, why not?) but the ocean may not be discretionary.

By: sharon

sharon — Mon, 09 Jun 2008 10:46:07 +0000

Specific rules are always easier than vague directions.