Practice Meet - An Exercise in Controlled Chaos

There had to be 200 children there tonight. The pool was absolutely teeming with people and E was thrilled I brought his swim shirt.

"I am not sure if the place hosting the meet is outdoors, and I don't want you to get sunburned."

"But even if it's indoor Mommy it's okay for me to wear my swim shirt." He acknowledged with a tinge of comfort.

I took a deep breath and we worked our way through the crowd. My purse, camera bag and E's tote bumped the heads of many a child as we navigated the compact area. I was apparently the only working mother in the lot, or the only one not smart enough to leave work more than an hour early to change for the outdoor meet and bring my own chair.

E was eager to jump in the pool, but I hesitated. I wanted more information and to get my bearings. Fortunately, right at the moment E might have broken down after his 49th request to get in the pool, the swim school owner spoke to the crowd. He explained the under sixers would warm up and then the adults would head into the gym for an info meeting. It was all a little overwhelming and yet contained. Somehow.

E warmed up with the others and joined me for the meeting while the 7 and olders did their warm ups. The swim team would work like an actual swim team, children would ribbon, based on time, but were not required to go to meets or stay at them for their entirety - especially the younger ones - realizing that the experience is long and a bit intense.

Relief.

And, while there was some competition, this was supposed to be fun. The coaches were committed to it and the parents should be too. The owner even said his kids used to swim so they could get every ribbon. Some meets, the goal was actually 5th place.

Relief, part two.

By the time the info meeting was over, it was time for the under sixers to swim their first practice meet. Girls went first and E left his lane line up and cut through the crowd to get to me.

"Mommy, I don't think I can do this."

"Oh, sweetie, of course you can! I watched you in practice last night and you were great!"

"I just don't think I can do it."

"Can you try just one race? I don't care if you win your race - I just want you to have fun and try your best. That's all I want you to do. Can we try one?"

Hesitation.

"What if I come over and stand with you and your teammates until it's time for you to swim. Would you like that?"

He nodded and grabbed my hand. Back we went, fighting the crowd, fighting to find our place. I engaged his lead coach for some support and she did a great job encouraging him. She also found a spot for me where I could watch him and he could see me when it was his turn. After what seemed like forever, he was pushing off the side of the pool and tackling his first freestyle race.

Try his best, he did! He was steady and straight and made it to the end. Fifth place for a first timer, who was swimming against some 6 year olds on their second swim team, made this mama more than proud and I even got a smile out of the kiddo.

He agreed to go back into the line and await his next race while I stood in a different line to get his ribbon. It was so much to take in. Especially when he decided he was done before the next race, but he couldn't find me. Scared and tear stained, I felt him tug at my leg as I was just about to sit down and look for him. After a number of hugs and kisses and "It's alright... I was here the whole time," we decided to scoot out before the second race.

We celebrated his success over Subway sandwiches and some good bedtime stories. He's ready to try practice again tomorrow; but, we may go easy on the meets.

And that's just fine with me.