Yesterday we started swim lessons for my boys (ages 4 & 5) at the YMCA. I had orientation for the fitness center during their class and arrived just about the time they were finishing up. My kids were at different ends of the pool. I saw my youngest get out so I walked over to get him. When I turned around to go get the older one, he was GONE!! I asked where my child was & the lifeguard that had been helping didn't know and she asked the teacher who was still in the Water hanging on the side. She said she had no idea. I didn't panic and followed the lifeguard into the youth locker room. There he was with other kids in the shower. Thank God he still has his trunks on!! I sternly told him to NEVER go into the locker room and stay by the pool until mommy or daddy comes to get him.

The panic didn't hit me until last night and the fear of God came over me that my son could have been at the bottom of that pool for all that teacher knew. Understand this was not a teenager as an instructor, but a woman at least in her 40's and come to find out a lifeguard.

Needless to say, I spoke to the director at the Y twice today. She was very understanding and I told her that I expect the teacher to know where my children are at all times until they are safely back with their parents. She agreed and said all the kids should go to the bleachers until the parents come. She also promised to address this with the teacher. She offered to allow me to stay and observe since they usually ask the parents to leave the pool area after the first lesson. You bet I'm staying and keeping my eyes on my kids and my workouts will have to wait for a different time (b4 or after their class). I am also meeting the director face to face tomorrow. I felt like my concerns were really taken seriously as this lady is the mother of 3 children herself. Regardless, I think I learned a valuable lesson today that NO ONE will care for my children and watch out for them any more than their parents or grandparents.

BTW, this same teacher took this class to the 10 ft area of the pool the first day. My son does not know how to swim or float. Even though there were only 3 kids in this class, I still feel a little uncomfortable with this. The director said that all the kids will go to the deep end sometime during their session to help with the fear of the deep water. I still don't understand this. Does anyone have experience with swim lessons or lifeguarding that can relate to this philosophy? I want my kids to know how to swim and don't really want to pull them from the class. Any feedback would be greatly appreciated!!!

:update:

We had our final lesson last night and got the report cards. Guess what? That goofy teacher (the one I had problems with) checked ALL the boxes as NOT COMPLETE for my son. My other son had COMPLETE on ALL of his. Of course, I walked right over to the supervisor to clarify b/c I know he's been doing great. Another mother walked over from the same class with the same concern. Come to find out, she had marked NOT COMPLETE on all her students, even those in a later class. Surely she was mixed up on her columns. NOPE, we approached her and she said she didn't do those things with the students and maybe someone else did, she didn't know. She only concentrated on the strokes.

Let's see.....we're talking Pool Safety NOT COMPLETE, Letting go of edge and swimming back NOT COMPLETE, Enjoy Games NOT COMPLETE, Shows respect for others NOT COMPLETE.

Well, the director walked in about this time and got involved (the teacher was in the pool for the lesson at this time). She took one look at ALL the reports and said they were incorrect and we can pick them up on Monday. I confirmed that this so-called teacher will NOT be teaching again.

I wasn't mad or upset b/c I really think this lady is just thick in the head. Some people just can't help it. :tired She is just NOT COMPLETE yet I guess. I ran into her in the locker room a while later and smiled and said hello. She smiled back. Life goes on.

You are right SHE IS NOT COMPLETE!!!!!