Swimming is such a fun summer activity! There’s nothing quite like jumping in the water on a warm summer day. As fun as swimming is, however, it’s important to remember that there are risks involved. That risk mandates that you carefully watch your child whenever they go swimming.
Eliminate Distractions
The first thing you need to do when watching your child while they are swimming is to eliminate any distractions that might pull your attention away from your child. This isn’t the time to scroll through social media, take pictures for your Instagram, read a book, take a nap, text a friend, or any other thing that isn’t you focusing on your child. Put your phone away, or better yet, silence it and then put it away. Leave the book or magazine at home.
Stay Focused
Once you’ve eliminated potential distractions, the next thing to do is to stay focused on your child. This may require a shift in your mindset. You should be in 100% parent mode, monitoring pool safety and your child. Rather than thinking of it as a chance to indulge in some me-time, think of it as a chance to get out and focus on your child. This is a great opportunity to engage with them and make some memories together. Thinking of it that way could make it easier to stay focused on your child instead of allowing your attention to get pulled away by distractions.
Take Turns
If you’re going to the pool with a group that includes other responsible adults, consider dividing pool time into shifts. Everyone can take a turn monitoring pool safety so that no single adult is stuck doing it the whole time. This gives everyone a chance to relax a little and have fun. That can make the prospect of taking your child swimming seem like less of a chore for you.
Keeping a close eye on your child when they are swimming can mean the difference between them having a fun, exciting experience or one that is scary at best–and life-threatening at worst. Taking your child swimming can be a great experience, but it’s important to remember that this isn’t a time for you to kick back, relax, and indulge in some personal time, even if there are lifeguards present. At the end of the day, you are ultimately responsible for the safety and wellbeing of your child.
Safety comes first whenever water is involved. Click here for SwimJim’s ocean and open water safety tips that everyone should know before they get in the water!