A tricky, if trivial one...

[Ozziegirly]

My 2yo DS has a swimming class on a Monday which he really enjoys and he is great in the water, very confident and happy.

Apart from one bit which we do, where basically a big mat is held in the water and each child walks along it and jumps in. It's at the end of the lesson, supposed to be a bit of fun. The whole lesson is very enjoyable and about having fun and being used to the water. The teacher doesn't mind in the slightest if a child wants to miss a bit out.

Anyway, my DS does NOT like the mat bit. Not one little bit. Not sure why.

So the first week he said "no mat" so I said "ok, we'll go and swim over here". He was ookkkkkayy ish about it.

But now it has progressed to "NO MAT" "ok, no mat" "MAT" "ok, let's do the mat" - and so on.

Basically I think he doesn't like doing it, but kind of wants to be brave and push himself to do it. Last week he told me he was "scared of mat, but brave" so I think that's what it is.

So, what would you do? He was in meltdown today as I told him he didn't have to do it, but when he was on the bloody mat he was obviously a bit scared of doing it.

I honestly don't mind if he does it or not, I just want him to either do it, or don't do it, but not make a big fuss.

[Hyperballad]

Well Ozziegirl, what a massive boost to his confidence it would be if he did do the mat!

I would keep telling h

[Ozziegirly]

Sorry, I forgot to say, last week he did do the mat and looked pleased with himself and I told him he could feel really proud of being brave and doing something he was worried about. I had hoped that was the end of it, but we were back to meltdown again this week.

I wonder how much I can explain about how some things are scary and we don't have to do them, but we feel good about ourselves afterwards. He's only just 2 so I feel like this concept might be a bit beyond him!

[Hyperballad]

Well Ozziegirl, what a massive boost to his confidence it would be if he did do the mat!

I would keep telling him it his choice, as you do, but instill your confidence in him and let him know you know he can do it!

Also you could tell the teacher about him wanting to do it, and they might have a special coaxing technique to try!

I'd live to see his face when he does it the first time :)

[Hyperballad]

(when he does it the next time, don't remind him he was worried about it! Just tell him he did amazing!)