Our little munchkin has a lot of fears, just like most toddlers out there. Fear of enclosed dark places, fear of loud sounds, fear of creepy crawlies. She didn't use to be such a scaredy cat, and when she was younger I thought she was pretty fearless. Maybe they understand more of things they didn't before, but her fears started to grow one by one. There was one fear that was there right from the beginning though - fear of water on her face.
You can imagine what it was like to bathe her, especially washing her hair. She always struggled with bath times and when she started to learn how to do the high pitch screams... *face palm* Bathing her was one of the times of the day I used to dread as it was always like a war zone. The screams, the cries, the mess. Yes, the mess in the toilet, and also the mess I am in from a hard earned victory.
Thankfully, as a mum, you find all sorts of ways to calm your little one, to help him/her conquer fears. I don't remember exactly when, but perhaps when she was before 2 years of age, I started to play games with her in the bathroom. She was interested in shapes then, and I would ask her to find and point out all the shapes in the bathroom that were on the ceiling. Circle - and she would point to the round spotlights. Rectangle - and she would point to the shape on the false ceiling. It also varied to identifying the eyes, nose, ears, eyebrows, cheeks and other features on my face as I stood over her... as long as she looked up as I hurriedly shampooed and washed her hair all in that time. Soon, she understood that it was fun time when it was hair time, so she did not struggle as much, and started to look forward to bath times.
That was a huge achievement for me. It meant she enjoyed more of her day, did less crying, I had less to clean up after the bath, I looked less like a mess after her bath, and we both enjoyed our time together for an additional 20 minutes of everyday.
Then, the swimming pool / sea / water park.
You can imagine what it was like to bathe her, especially washing her hair. She always struggled with bath times and when she started to learn how to do the high pitch screams... *face palm* Bathing her was one of the times of the day I used to dread as it was always like a war zone. The screams, the cries, the mess. Yes, the mess in the toilet, and also the mess I am in from a hard earned victory.
Thankfully, as a mum, you find all sorts of ways to calm your little one, to help him/her conquer fears. I don't remember exactly when, but perhaps when she was before 2 years of age, I started to play games with her in the bathroom. She was interested in shapes then, and I would ask her to find and point out all the shapes in the bathroom that were on the ceiling. Circle - and she would point to the round spotlights. Rectangle - and she would point to the shape on the false ceiling. It also varied to identifying the eyes, nose, ears, eyebrows, cheeks and other features on my face as I stood over her... as long as she looked up as I hurriedly shampooed and washed her hair all in that time. Soon, she understood that it was fun time when it was hair time, so she did not struggle as much, and started to look forward to bath times.
That was a huge achievement for me. It meant she enjoyed more of her day, did less crying, I had less to clean up after the bath, I looked less like a mess after her bath, and we both enjoyed our time together for an additional 20 minutes of everyday.
Then, the swimming pool / sea / water park.
Naomi's first swim at 9 months. Miss her at that age... and oh those chubby cheeks!
Naomi at 22 months. See how much she enjoys her water play! As long as her face stays dry!
Naomi usually has fun in the swimming pool (or water parks and the beach for that matter), until of course, the water touches her face. Then all hell breaks loose.
Experiencing salt water in her eyes for the first time ><
Ok. I exaggerate. But, if and when the water gets to her eyes, her mood will turn 180 degrees and start being upset at every little thing. Suddenly, it's just not fun anymore.
Even as she conquered her fear of bath time, she always had a love-hate relationship with the swimming pool. She loves that huge body of water - to jump around, walk around, and when Papa/Mama carries her around... and splashing other people... until she gets a water splash in her face. Then the siren begins.
As she got older, she coped better with water splashes, but her insecurity about having water in her face, or accidentally having her face dipped under water, meant that she was not comfortable to take a float and play by herself, and that she could not really enjoy herself to the fullest. She always had to cling on to me or her Papa, unless we were just sitting in the baby pool with her.
Even as she conquered her fear of bath time, she always had a love-hate relationship with the swimming pool. She loves that huge body of water - to jump around, walk around, and when Papa/Mama carries her around... and splashing other people... until she gets a water splash in her face. Then the siren begins.
As she got older, she coped better with water splashes, but her insecurity about having water in her face, or accidentally having her face dipped under water, meant that she was not comfortable to take a float and play by herself, and that she could not really enjoy herself to the fullest. She always had to cling on to me or her Papa, unless we were just sitting in the baby pool with her.
Enjoying the jacuzzi aboard the Mariner of the Seas! It's the cheesy smile phase!
Naomi in her lovely Rainbow Ruffles Swimsuit from Dreams Avenue! :p
Really love this pretty piece on her.
Really love this pretty piece on her.
We knew that this was not the way and we had to help her conquer her fear. We wanted her to learn to have fun in the pool, as other kids do. So mighty Papa bought this cute little shark float vest from Toys'r'us, along with a few other floaty toys like plastic boats, an inflatable dinosaur (one of her favourite toys now), and started to bring her to the swimming pool every chance we get, when he is back in Singapore.
The shark float vest and her dinosaur. First day at attempting! Note the uneasiness on her cute face!
Due to Pavel's diligence and her constant exposure to the pool at our new place, Naomi took a huge leap in confidence and is a big step closer to conquering that fear of water. She is now able to swim alone, with the aid of her vest!
We are certainly proud of her achievement! *Proud Mama moment*
Even if she is still afraid of dipping her head under water, we will continue to help her in conquering her fears one step at a time!
Thanks for reading about our munchkin's little achievement and sharing along in our happiness!
Till our next post!
Even if she is still afraid of dipping her head under water, we will continue to help her in conquering her fears one step at a time!
Thanks for reading about our munchkin's little achievement and sharing along in our happiness!
Till our next post!