swimming class problem

[misty]

In the Jr high here the kids have a semester of phys ed followed by a semester of swimming, then health, then back to phys ed.

Last semester Shannon had gym & she had an excuse because she had Oshgood Schlotters in her knee joints. She ended up failing gym because she never turned in the written assignments she was given to do instead.

Ok, so now she has swimming & she has it in her head that the Oshgood Schlotters gives her an excuse to not swim. Well, The Dr & I both told her that swimming is indeed good for her & she has to take it. Well I found out shes refusing to swim when the swimming instructor called me yesterday. So after school I sat her down & had a talk with her. The bottom line is she's embarrassed. Shes not as skinny as most of the girls & on top of that she has this scar on her leg (from falling off a pool ladder when she was 6 & getting gravel embedded in it) that she said her classmates think is a stretch mark. The scar can be covered while she swims because they ARE allowed to wear swim shorts over their suits. But she's throwing a fit because shes not sure how to change in front of the other girls without them seeing her body. I tried to explain that ALL the girls feel the same way she feels & that I went through it too & you do live through it & figure it out, but she was crying & quite adamant that WILL NOT swim. What can I say or do to help her feel more comfortable? How can I get here to take the class & feel better about it?

[charliegirl]

There may be a corner that is slightly away from the rest that she could use. I don't blame her a bit. I hated having to change and shower in front of the other girls. Maybe she could wear her suit under her clothes going into class and then only have to change once when she has to put her dry clothes on.

Can they wear 2 piece suits? They have ones that have a tank top instead of a bikini top. She could practice changing at home keeping a towel over the part that is being exposed. Even with a one piece she could do that. It would be awkward but I bet if she did it, some of the other girls would do the same thing if they aren't already.

[jj]

I think Barb's ideas are great. I love the practicing at home idea.

[bugsmom]

Arrrrggg...Why do schools insist on making these kids swim? As if gym class isn't hard enough to change in the locker room, I think being in a swimsuit infront of your peers is torture. (Excuse me, I'm having flashbacks of my swim class in high school!)

I think Barb's idea is great. A little practice at home and I bet she could feel a little more comfortable. Does she have a good friend in her class? I was thinking that maybe they could take turns holding a towel up for each other while each of them changes. Just a thought.

I feel for Shannon. Most girls her age I'm sure are feeling the same thing. Josh is in 6th grade and a boy and he HATES changing for gym. Last year he gained quite a bit of weight from taking the Risperdal and the boys made fun of his fat roles. They actually named each one. I was soooo upset and took care of that right away.

I hope she comes around. I know when our kids have something in their heads they are so stubborn. I have a feeling you have a tough road ahead on this one.

[katiekat]

Tough situation. Is there a bathroom in the locker room? I remember when I was in middle school and we started having to change for gym the girls would all rush to get there first so that they could change in the stalls. I remember being her age and agree with you that none of us were comfortable with our bodies for all different reasons. But none of us believed our moms when they told us that either. Middle school. UGH!

[jill]

I feel for her kids and teens are so mean. I hope it gets better for her.

[misty]

Thanks for all the ideas, everyone. I've been thinking about it & I think this is an AWFUL age to make them undress in front of each other. I think I'm just going to let her opt out of it...write a note & let her do written work instead.

[jill]

Can you just talk to the school and be up front with them? Maybe they can come up with something to help.

[lostmyshoe]

Oh my gosh Misty, I would have felt exactly like Shannon. I had a hard enough time just changing in and out of my gym clothes because I was chubby. I used to sit on the bench and cover my oversized bottom half with my clothes while I changed. I can't even imagine dealing with a swimsuit in front of everyone at that age. I hope some of the ideas CG gave you might work for Shannon if she has to take the class. I'd let her opt out too if you can. I so much can understand how she feels and I know how hard it must be for you.

[misty]

Last night I wrote a note to the swim teacher telling them Shannon is not to take swimming & that she can do the written work instead. Shannon said the teacher accepted the note & all was fine.