Going swimming as a family was good for us!
We’re not lucky with the weather
Yesterday, Saturday, June 6, it was gray and raining cats and dogs. Honestly, I’m starting to think I sometimes need a little nudge to take a break. My kids have their friends on the weekends, but other than that, I feel like a spectator. In the sense that I’ll take them to the park, go to their sports classes with them, but I never actually participate.
Before I had kids, I loved working out and going to the gym, but since I’ve had kids, I don’t even feel like going to the gym anymore; my gym membership card stays in my bag, and I barely touch it.
Going to the pool
Yesterday, the weather wasn’t great, and I really wanted to go out as a family, but this time, I felt like we should all go to the pool together, to the public swimming area. Something we never do. I know that some of you have a pool at home, but here we don’t, and even if we wanted to have a pool, we can’t during the 4-5 months of wintertime, it’s freezing cold, and outdoor pools don’t open til mid-june. So we’re pretty much stuck 4-5 months a year if we’re lucky and if the snow doesn’t start in November.
Honestly, I’m so glad we went. My son was so happy, I felt great, and it reminded me of everything I’ve been saying in my blog posts from the start: there’s nothing better than doing something you truly love to recharge your batteries.
I’ve never really liked swimming, to be honest, but when I’m in the water, I feel absolutely great. A happier mom is always a better mom for kids!
For ADHD Kids And Moms
I suspect my son has ADHD, just like his father and me. He really can’t sit still, and his energy never seems to run out from morning till night. He’s 5 years old, and it’s always been this way, but seeing him in the water yesterday, so happy, made me feel so good.
Safety rules to prepare:
If you want to relax or just have a good time with your family, going to a pool is really refreshing. There are a few safety rules I’d like to remind you of if your child can’t swim:
1- Put a life jacket on them. A good way to tell if it’s too big is if it comes up over their ears when they’re in the water. Don’t rely solely on the weight or size listed on the vest.
2- Put on a life jacket yourself if you don’t know how to swim; you never know. I don’t know you, but I feel it’s my responsibility to mention this anyway on a blog that moms and dads read.
3- Always within arm’s reach.
Even if they’re wearing floaties or a life jacket, stay close enough to grab them immediately. A child can panic very quickly in the water. Supervision must be active and constant, even for children taking lessons.
4- No phone while he’s in the water.
Even “just looking for 10 seconds” can be too long. When he’s in the water, keep your eyes on him.
5-A Life jacket if the water is deep or if they can’t touch the bottom. For a child who doesn’t swim yet, a well-fitting life jacket is much safer than inflatable arm floats. The Red Cross recommends considering a life jacket for non-swimmers or weak swimmers.
6-Don’t rely on arm floats, buoys, or toys.
They’re fun to play with, but they aren’t safety devices. They can give a false sense of security.
7- Clear rule: never go in the water without permission.
Even if they’re excited, even if they “just want to dip their toes,” they must wait for your “yes.”
8- They stay in the area where they can touch the bottom.
If they can’t swim, they don’t go into deep water without you right by their side.
9- No running around the pool.
Falls from the pool edge happen quickly, especially when children are excited.
10- Tell him what to do if he falls in: roll onto his back, float, and call for help.
Even before he knows how to swim, he can learn safety reflexes.
11- Swimming lessons as soon as possible.
Lessons help a lot, but they never replace supervision.
In conclusion, I’m really glad we went yesterday. I hope it’s made you want to go too, especially if, like me, you weren’t that into it before. I think it’s a great family activity. I’m curious to know if you like swimming and if you take your kids swimming. Let me know in the comments.
-Sarah (Plume)
