Did you hear about the six teenagers who recently drown in the Red River?
Oh my gracious. It's so sad. The newspaper said that this is an area frequented by people who don't know how to swim. Apparently, this is a place to go and barbecue and wade in the river.
This group of people had really just arrived when this happened. They didn't even have the barbecue pit out of the car yet. The adults watched helplessly as the kids drown. None of them could swim.
My older daughter started taking swim lessons when she was 6 months old. She went once a week until she was 5 and is now a great swimmer. When my youngest was around 6 months old, I wasn't sure how I could make it work. The swim school was 45 minutes away and I always had my older daughter with me. If I were in a pool in a Mommy/Baby class, what would I do with her? When the older was 1, they took her into a semi-private class and I was no longer needed in the water. I was hoping they'd do this with my little petunia, but they had changed the rules and said they wouldn't take her in the pool without me until she was around 2 or 3!! Well, folks, we all know that the second child is usually a bit more outgoing the the first and I thought if we waited that long, it would be like playing with fire. I wanted her to learn to swim sooner.
I was then sent an email with a video attached to it. My heart nearly beat out of my chest as I watched.
All I knew, was that I needed this program for my baby.
We found an instructor and signed her up.
P.S. Please don't tell me I am a bad parent by teaching my kids to swim early in life. I am not using swimming lessons as a way out of being a good parent who supervises my children. I just want them to have EVERY CHANCE TO SURVIVE SHOULD AN ACCIDENT OCCUR.
I just had to say this. Believe it or not, there are people who don't believe in teaching their kids to swim.
We found an instructor and signed her up.
This is my 11 month old baby floating in a pool. You can learn about this program by visiting the Infant Swim Resource site. I am so grateful for the survival skills this course has taught my child. She has been to a refresher class each year and has since learned to swim as well as float. Luckily, she hasn't had to use her survival skills for any accidental falls into the pool. She has however, had a great time playing in the pool, fully supervised by adults, and swimming to her heart's content.
Right now, Infant Swim Resource, is in the running for a grant from Pepsi. This would allow them to teach survival skills to underprivileged children who may not have access to lessons otherwise.
I have a button at the top of my sidebar. You can go and click once a day to vote for this program. You can also vote by texting a number to Pepsi. It is also listed when you click through.
(The video is also on that page for you to watch!)
I am a true believer in giving kids tools in life to keep them safe. I think this is a great program for helping to keep them safe...and alive.
P.S. Please don't tell me I am a bad parent by teaching my kids to swim early in life. I am not using swimming lessons as a way out of being a good parent who supervises my children. I just want them to have EVERY CHANCE TO SURVIVE SHOULD AN ACCIDENT OCCUR.
I just had to say this. Believe it or not, there are people who don't believe in teaching their kids to swim.
12 comments:
That is just amazing. I didn't realize you could start teaching kids how to swim at such a young age. I grew up with a pool in my backyard, so sometimes I forget that not everyone knows how to swim! Definitely must-know information.
Thanks for stopping by my blog! I learned to swim at a very early age and absolutely love the water. I think it is great that you are starting her off early.
Thanks for stopping by my blog! I learned to swim at a very early age and absolutely love the water. I think it is great that you are starting her off early.
I think it's great that you are doing this. My reoccuring nightmare is one of me finding my daughter at the bottom of a pool or pond or well (it changes) and she has drowned. It terrifies me! She is getting to be a pretty good swimmer, but the boys don't yet which makes time at the pool very stressful and exhausting. I'm thinking of putting them into a class like this next spring.
You can never be too safe! I was a lifeguard when I was in high school/college, and my kids are lifeguards now. Plus, they're on the college swim team, too. But still, I feel so much better when we're at a beach with a lifeguard watching over them. SITS sent me by, and I'm glad they did!
OBX Real Estate
I taught mine very early too! Back then they would have them jump in the side of pool if they were big enough, then automatically turn around and "swim" to the side. It was sort of drownproofing for the pool. From there went on to regular swimming. It was one of my favorite childhood memories every summer...swimming lessons. A no-brainer!
Sandra
I learned as a toddler. I really need to get the dude into lessons!
That's a wonderful program. There have been many drownings here too this summer. I believe every child should take swimming lessons. And if they don't know how to swim, they should wear life jackets!
I've seen this course offered at different places. Living in Az where we swim half of the year, I think it's a wonderful course. Your baby floating is the most amazing thing.
how horrifying! i can't imagine standing
by so helplessly.
i think the infant swimming programs
are so cool.
my mom taught all five of my kids
to swim, which i think is sweet.
I just signed my little boy up for these lessons! We start on Monday. I am relieved to hear that you had such a good experience. My family is giving me a VERY hard time for starting him in such a vigorous program, but we live in Phoenix and every single house on our block has a pool, many unfenced, and the chances are simply too high to NOT teach him these skills! Thank you for the reassurance!
I think you are great for doing this...and I wish I would have. I grew up swimming in lakes, rivers, pools, etc. My son swims - not as well as he thinks he does - but I do wish I would have started this early.
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