Hotel Swim Lessons

Dear Jack,

After Sea World, we headed to the hotel.

Now, we have learned how much you hate being stuck in a hotel room, so once we had eaten dinner, we got into swim clothes with the intention of swimming until bed time.

This plan worked... sort of. You loved, loved, loved the pool. It was very shallow and you could walk all of it and be on your belly with your hands on the floor of the pool through most of it.

Also, your new friend Mrs. Ford was playing with you and you have become very fond of her this latest visit.

The trouble, and the lesson, came when it was time to go. You were so very tired, little boy, and when you are tired, you will do anything to stay awake. I have seen you slap yourself, turn in circles, and yes, throw your body around like a wild man to stay awake.

I should have taken you up to bed sooner.

I should have held you differently.

I should have done a lot of things.

And really, so should have you.

But you are two, and I don't know that I really understood how much you needed your schedule to be adhered to. So you threw yourself back and got me right at the bridge of the nose. It hurt like heck and it was an act of will to continue holding you calmly. We called it a night at that point and went up to the hotel room where Mr. Ford had an ice pack and Mrs. Ford had ibuprofen. (They are good people in an emergency, those Fords.)

I know you were sorry because once we were settled and you and your sister were bathed, I did start to cry because it hurt so much and because it was a hard thing, to have your son, even accidentally, hurt you that badly.

You sat next to me, patting my arm, "Mama no cry. Sorry Mama. Mama no cry."

I have spent a couple of days processing it all and have finally realized that the best lesson here is to make sure you have a good nap every day this summer.

Well, and I'll watch how I hold you when I know you are exhausted, and you, sweet boy, will learn over time, to keep better control over yourself, even when tired.

Love,
Mom