A day at the pool

Well today was my daughter's second day of swimming lessons. However this isn't her first session of lessons, but it is her first round of them in Italy. Although I have been living here for nearly 8 years I am always noticing the difference between here and home. ( No I am still not really able to claim Italy as home.) Here is why...

Today I spent yet another sunny afternoon talking to my good friend from Holland (my daughter's best friend's mom ~ funny how that is) while we stood on the railing outside the pool. In this way we were able to peek over the hedge that surrounds it to look in on our daughters' lesson. No, parents are not allowed into the pool area during lessons. I don't know if it is for hygienic reasons (Italians seem to be obsessed with it) or for the lack of facilities, but for an American this is really strange. Coming from a culture where we are encouraged to participate in our children's activities, sports and schooling it seems as if we are completely rejected from them here. To make it more difficult she is my only child and I have been with her nearly every second of her life, and now I feel like I am being pushed out of it by every institution, yes school is the exact same way, just drop them at the front door, first day of school included!

But I always try to look on the bright side of things...she is learning to be independent and social, I get to spend some time with my good friend just chatting and I found out today that her teacher is known to be really good. At least I can peek in on her over the hedge without her knowing, so she can truly feel independent while I am able to secretly be part of what she is doing.