All About Your Child

Its the third swimming lesson already and Binbin could swim far with just one breath, while Keatkeat could swim only half the distance of what his younger brother could.

Well, we are not surprise because of Keatkeat’s personality – a giver-up-er.

Keatkeat is constantly struggling between wanting to outperform his younger brother and obeying his natural instinct, i.e. ‘This is out of my comfort zone, I might as well just give up’.

CoachV said that Binbin is much better than his older brother overall, even though Keatkeat could hold his breath longer.

The boys love CoachV. We love the progress we see in our kids in just 3 swimming lessons. Having only 4 kids in the class for a 45mins lesson, with one of them still reluctant to participate (see ‘Children Swimming Lesson‘ post), you can imagine the attention CoachV gives to the other 3 kids, which includes my children.

It really felt like they had joined a private swimming class. For just $20 for 4 lessons, this is something that came unexpected. Then again, it was an offered price for the first 4 lessons afterall. So now we are left with a rather difficult choice. Should we continue with CoachV and pay a lot more or should we look for another swimming instructor?

I understand that CoachV needs the income and therefore it is only right that every swimming lesson plan by him has to be worthwhile. He told us that if the 4 students agree to continue, then, it would be $70 for each pupil for every 4 lessons.

In our hearts, we doubt that the parents of the ‘reluctant kid’ would want to continue, so we asked, “What if only 3 wish to continue?”

“Then it would be $90 per student.” He replied nicely. Looking at our slightly-shocked expression, he continued, “One  parent (the more-willing-boy’s parent) has already indicated that her child would be continuing.”

$90! For 4 lessons. Per child. And I have two children. That would make $180 for the next 4 lessons. Hhhhmmm…..

So we were doing the Pros and Cons chart again:

Pros:

1. The greater amount of attention given to my boys can help the boys to progress much faster.
2. Therefore they might be able to master swimming much earlier.
3. Our aim is just for them to know how to swim, not for them to become an Olympic swimmer, so the moment they have learned how to swim and breath at the same time, then we will stop the lesson. With CoachV, we can stop anytime.
4. If my children can achieve that by the next 4 lessons, then we would actually be paying only $55 per 4 lessons. ($20 + $90 = $110 / 2 sets of 4 lessons = $55 )

Cons:

1. Other group swimming lessons are going at $50 and $60 for every 4 lessons. We would be spending so much more by paying $90!
2. With two kids, that would be $180!
3. If my boys cannot achieve the goal, then the 3rd set of 4 lessons would really be paying way above market price.

Well, from the above list, its clear that the Pros list won.

I rest my case.

One week March School Holiday is almost over. So many things have happened:
~Disciplinary issues
~Siblings squabbles
~Endless fun and outings
~Accidents
~Repair
~Breakdowns
~Visit from Angels…

But I think, the most significant event has to be THIS!

As stated in the ‘Teeth Development‘ post, Keatkeat is right on time for the Central Incisors to fall.

Two weeks ago, Keatkeat cried when he was halfway through his lunch. As parents, its tears on our son’s face, but a sword in our hearts. So loving Daddy wanted to end his misery earlier and attempted to pluck the Central Incisors out for Keatkeat. BUT FAILED! *laugh*

It was that shaky (above video) since last month. After the experience we had with his ‘First Shaky Tooth‘, the impatient father knew that visiting the dentist is not going to help. That was why he tried to BE the dentist!

Yesterday, while we were taking a break from our shopping, Keatkeat sat beside me and went, “Nih..Nih…” He was trying to balance his left tooth, on the tip of his tongue and preventing it from falling over.

Allan and I were so excited and kept praising our 7 year old boy.

I wrapped the fallen tooth nicely with tissue paper and in that split seconds, Keatkeat turned totally pale!

He was gagging and feeling giddy. So we ended our fun and went straight home.

There was no blood at all throughout the whole event. We were worried. But soon after an hour of rest at home, the active boy was back to normal and guess what? THE OTHER CENTRAL INCISOR FELL OFF TOO! *clap clap clap*

I guess the two central incisors are truly good friends. It was only an hour apart. One just cannot bear to leave the other. *laugh*

Now, Keatkeat giggles at his own pronounciation of ‘F’ and ‘S’….. it comes with extra wind and saliva too. *laugh*

What a memorable day! Its such a day that makes being a parent all worthwhile. *Grin*