I never saw it coming.
She jumped right in.
Just the day before she was awash with tears, apprehension, and fear of the unknown.
“I don’t want to go to swimming class!” Followed by crying and huge crocodile tears.
She did really well during her swim lesson in spite of her tense anticipation.
I was so proud of her. Learning how to hold her breath, blow bubbles in the water, kick those legs, and pull herself up out of the water.
However, since last summer, this is only her second lesson. We still have quite a way to go.
Now, here we are, enjoying an afternoon with friends in their beautiful backyard.
A gorgeous, enticing swimming pool….just waiting for us.
The kids can’t get their swimsuits on fast enough. They are ready to play in the water.
I assign hubs the duty of watching our 3.5 and 6 year old while I change into my swimsuit. They stand just below him on the large shelf inside the pool.
Little Sister, our 3 year old, is watching her friend with great admiration. Her friend, who is skillfully swimming and splashing in the water.
I walk outside, approaching the pool, just in time to see her do it.
She jumps right in.
But she can’t swim.
Apparently, she thinks she can.
I’m frozen in disbelief, shock…fear.
I know this is all happening in a matter of seconds, but it all seems in slow motion.
I shriek/yell at my husband who is right there, to “go get her!”.
Before I can even complete my demand, he’s in the water and has our girl in his arms.
She seems shocked herself. I’m quite sure she’s confused…how she didn’t magically float.
She’s okay and wants to continue playing in the water. I’m still recovering from the heart attack she just gave me, and am quite certain a new patch of gray hair has immediately sprouted.
After a gentle but firm reminder about water safety to Little Sister, we enjoy an afternoon of fun in the water. With me or the hubs right there with her. The whole time.
This is the thing about children: they are unpredictable, can have no fear, are quick, and in the case of Little Sister here, want to do what their friends are doing…no matter what.
These attributes can be a recipe for disaster if we let our guards down or fail to remain vigilant.
I just wanted to share this with you, as a reminder to remain ever vigilant whenever your children are near or in any type of water. It’s easy to get distracted, become complacent, or think someone else is watching your child. Children are truly unpredictable, and even when you’re right next to them, they may put themselves in danger.
I can’t help but think about the “what ifs” in this scenario of ours. What if my husband had walked away from the pool, even for a moment, to get something? Moments like this are instantaneous and literally occur in the blink of an eye.
Please take the time to read this post, about swim and water safety. Keep young children, unable to swim, in arms reach, and never…ever, let your guard down.
What have your children done lately that gave you a mini heart attack?
That's a great reminder! How scary!
Oh my goodness Melissa – that is so scary! I am so glad she is okay. They are so fearless at this age which is not a good attribute near water!
First thing that popped in my head about my heart-attack moments is street/parking lot crossing. How many times do we say "hold my hand" and then in an instant they are darting out without even looking. Sheesh!
Yikes, definitely would make my heart jump up into my throat to see that. Glad she was okay and that your husband was right there.
Like Paula, I had a street scare recently with Q. As we were about to get into the car at the park, I could tell he wanted to walk right into the street and so I told him not to. He turned to smile at me as if it were a game and started to run for it — I screamed so loudly that the car barreling down the hill heard me and slowed. Oh man, I thought I would go into early labor with that one. He got a stern talking-to about the dangers of running into the street and hopefully he won't forget it.
Heart attack moments happen to the most alert parent because little ones are quick. It's amazing how quickly they go from scared to brave, especially when they see other kids doing something. Thankfully she's ok and your husband was right there! Hopefully, it scared her just enough so that she remembers to be careful!
My 5 year old was playing with a ball near the pool this past March. The ball bounced into the pool and even though it was near the edge when he reached to grab it the dog ran by and he fell into the freezing cold water, fully dressed. I was within 20 feet, but it was my 8 year old who was closer and able to pull him out of the water. Anything can happen near a pool and even with kids who are a bit older and are swimmers. The kids are no longer allowed near the pool, no matter what unless an adult is paying full attention.
JDaniel hid in the bushes without letting me know we were playing hide and seek.
Thanks for the timely reminder for our summer. The other thing I would add is that even in shallow water if your toddler goes under, there is a good chance that they will not be able to right themselves despite being able to stand. I have seen this happen in our bath (with me next to my child) and in the pool again right next to our child.
Thanks for sharing and I am pleased little sister still likes to swim!
Rajka
How scary! I'm glad everything is okay!
My daughter did just about the same thing at the beach last summer. She'd been taking swimming lessons but surely could not 'really' swim yet. (still can't) BUT…she was certain she could. She asked to take her Puddle Jumpers off to play in the water. I was RIGHT next to her and kept telling her she needed to turn around b/c soon it'd be too deep for her. Then she just picked her feet and to "swim" and SANK right down. I don't think she was under for more than 2 seconds as I grabbed her right away but it scared us both!! She kept her floaties on the rest of the time and I was sooo glad I was so close!
Wow!! Yes, scary. I am glad your little girl is safe.. It is a huge lesson for all parents to become more viigelent around the water while with there kids. I am a child advocate and teach Infant CPR. I stress the importance all the time. Drowning is silent. I had a client 2 weeks ago tell me they were at a resort. She was watching her as she was packing up. She sent a wee one to pick up her toys as her little one went to get her toys she continued to walk right into the deep end. thank god some one was able to swim down and pull her out.
X was sitting in between hubs and me at the pool the other day on the top step. He was playing with a ring. I turned around to say hi to a neighbor, and when I looked back, X was IN THE POOL, face down. I grabbed him and he was totally laughing. He'd maybe been in for 2 seconds?? But I couldn't believe it happened when he was sitting between us and we didn't notice. SCARY!
my son did the exact same thing! well, almost. the first time we went to the swimming pool this summer, i told him to wait while i got into the pool, and as i turned around, there he was jumping in. like you said, it was slow motion. and he is 2 and other than in the bathtub, he hasnt even tried swimming. but i guess he was so excited, he just couldnt wait. i grabbed him up immidiately and although he got a "drink" of the pool water, he was ok.
I just mentioned in a post the other day how I spend the entire time we're at the pool having mini-heart attacks (or many heart attacks – both apply here). I'm a water safety freak, a former lifeguard and lifelong swimmer. It's made me kind of a lunatic for safety. My husband, on the other hand, is more laid back and we never fail to have at least one nagging wife "honey, darling, dear DON'T EVER DO THAT AGAIN!" moment every time we're at the pool.
Parenthood seems to be a string of near heart attacks, with small breaks between. Every time I send them off to try something new it pains me… But it's worth it.
My son did that, too. He jumped into a hot tub with all his clothes on when he was just 2. Luckily my husband was right there, too. Glad it all turned out ok!!
[…] there was the time my daughter jumped right in to a friend’s pool. She was 3. The hubs was thankfully right […]