Swimming First lesson tomorrow, dont want to do it! help!?

Question

Im in year 9 and we have pe on a monday but for this term i have had swimming, i really dont want to do swimming because i have a fear of deep water and my teachers force us into doing things i dont wnat to do i also dont have a proper costume to wear that fits and i dont want to lend one from school.

i straighten my hair every day so if i do swimming first my hair will be all over and i will lose all my confidence

for the first week my mam wrote a note sayings i had ear ache which was a lie and then the second week i just said i still had a bad ear but now my mam whont write another note and i got wrong off my teacher and i said i would do it this week but i dont want to.

in the morning is there any way i could fake sickness or something or confince my mam into writing me another note?

please help.

Also we arent alowed straighteners in school

Answer 1

just dont go

Answer 2

Hi Hun,  we all have to do things in life that we don't like.  But when it's something that makes us feel so bad then you have to talk about it to someone you can confide in. Swimming is good though and it's important to learn to swim. You never know when you may need it!  I also can sympathise with the hair issue, I only have to out in the damp and my hair frizzes up!  but back to the swimming... Is there a teacher who you really like and feel comfortable with, that you can talk to about your fears and anxiety.  I completely understand you and wish I could give you the confidence you need to overcome your fears.  

Do you have a school counsellor or school nurse?  If so go and talk to them.You must talk to someone about this. You shouldn't be feeling like this and need someone to help you overcome your anxiety.

Also may I ask why you don't have a swimming costume that fits?

Email me if you want to talk.   Hope this helps. Hun ;-)

Also remember, no-one can force you to do anything you don't want to do, especially if it's making you feel ill. I just wish I could talk to your form teacher on your behalf.

Take care and I'll help if I can.   sweet dreams hun. ;-)

Answer 3

somthing tells me there is a differant reason than deep water and streight hair but i dont care anyway, do as i do im in grade ten and i have strech marks on my belly and my arms im a boy and i skipp class the school phones my home with a atomattic recorder saying i was marked absent and i tell my parents that i was late or the teacher forgot to take attendece dont worrie about it do what your gut tells you to

Answer 4

What you need is an action plan. Not an evasion plan.

Tell your teacher.  People who can swim do not realise or remember how frightened of the water non swimmers can feel.  No one learns to swim out of the water.  No one learns to swim who is fearful.

You should go to the pool tomorrow, but you should not go in. You should just feel OK in the place. Feel happy with the noise and the smells and the sounds.

Next time you should go in the water, but unless you are doing anything stupid, you should be left alone.  What you will be doing is making friends with the water.

Then your teacher should ask the swimming instructor for a list of things for you to do.  Like blowing bubbles, putting your head under the water.  Seeing if you can lift both feet off the bottom.  

I can't promise it will happen because there are lots of rules and regulations grown ups have to follow and there might be a problem.  If it can be done I'm sure that once you start ticking things off, you will be happy to join in with the group again.

Obviously if you can go in your own time that would be better.

I was really scared of the water when I was at school, but now I enjoy swimming.  Really you will have to confide in your mum and teacher more and tell them how you feel, and what your problems are, and maybe they will tell you why straighteners aren't allowed in school.

Answer 5

If there is a pool in your school, I'm guessing it probably has a shallow end that you could touch the ground. Tell your PE teacher that you're scared of the water, and maybe he/she will let you stay in the shallow end. About not having a swim suit, if you tell your mom that you need one for school, I'm sure she'll buy you one. About your hair, wear a pony tail on swimming days, or put your hair up. :)

Answer 6

I can tell you are really worried about this...I'll try and help.

Firstly, is there a form tutor/teacher/head of year that you could talk to? I wouldn't mention your hair concerns but if you are really frightened of water then I think it's very unfair to make you attend group swimming lessons.

Perhaps over the next few months you could go to the local pool in your spare time with friends or family. You could increase your water confidence that way.

Just remember you cannot be forced into swimming, whatever the PE teachers say. Just try and get a friendly member of staff and some friends on your side.

Take care