Tampons 😶

So I've been getting my period for over a year now and I've never officially used a tampon. I love swimming and have a pool so when I'm on my period it sucks. I've tried a tampon mulitple times but (tmi) it sort of doesn't go up all the way. I can barely get it in. I've gotten my mom to try and help but it hurts to put it in. I've also watched many videos on how to do it. Am I just not ready or am I doing something wrong???