The children went to their swimming lesson yesterday. We were sat at the side waiting for it to start, calmly. There were two little girls on either side of us, both nearly in tears. It wasn't the anticipation of the swimming lesson nor the fear of the water that was upsetting these girls but the dreaded placing of a rubber swimming cap over a full head of hair by a parent who has absolutely no idea how to do it quickly and effectively. It was torture to watch. I couldn't even intervene as I have absolutely no idea how to do it either.
Two dads trying to pop a very small object over a very large surface. The hats popped off, caught the children's ears, trapped their hair, contorted their faces. It teased. Just as I thought they'd done it, it would spring up and off again. The girls were definitely not impressed with their Dads' efforts. There was thumping......one Dad by his daughter. There were raised voices.....the girls remonstrating their Dads to do it properly. And eventually the heads were covered after 10 minute Herculean efforts.
Eventually the swimming teacher (oh wise and wonderful cap fitter that she is) simply popped one hat over one little girl using the correct 'getting the bloody swimming hat on' technique. It was done in seconds. I was impressed. Perhaps the technique should be taught one week in the lesson.
I popped a ponytail in H's hair and off she jumped in, capless.