Family swimming can be a lot of fun and a great activity.
My children love to go swimming with family and spend time
in the water. We have a number of public pools close by that
are relatively inexpensive. There are few things better than
jumping in a cool pool on a hot summer day.
When you go swimming as a family get in and play with your kids.
If you are right with them you will know where they are and that
they are safe. Plan some family activities to do while swimming.
Try buying some rings and take turns diving for them. Water noodles
are also cheap and a lot of fun. When my children were younger we
used to take floating bath toys for them to play with. A beach ball
can be great as well. For older children consider playing a game like
Marco Polo. One person is it and with their eyes closed calls out
“Marco”. The other players have to respond “Polo”. The player who is
it tries to tag one of the other players who then becomes it.
When you go family swimming it is important that you:
Use plenty of sunscreen and reapply it every few hours.
If you are going to be swimming for a long time, consider
having your children wear a shirt.
Drink plenty of water. Being out in the sun can quickly dehydrate
your body even if you are surrounded by water. Make sure that your
children get plenty of liquids.
Bring some snacks. Swimming can really make you hungry.
If your child is afraid of the water don’t force the issue. This will
most likely reinforce their fears and make them less trusting of you.
Instead give them a chance to adjust on their own. When they see how
much fun everyone else is having they will probably join in. It always
takes my nephew a while to warm up to the water. He starts out on the
steps and gradually works his way in. He’s fine as long as the water
isn’t deeper than his head.
Swimming always carries risk. Public pools do have lifeguards but they
can’t always see a child in need. Last year a nine-year-old boy drowned at
the pool by my sister’s house. He was at the pool for a birthday party and
didn’t have a parent specifically watching him. He was in the pool almost
twenty minutes before he was found. So it is important that children have
a parent present who is keeping on eye on them.
The National Water Safety Forum advised parents to consider the following when
swimming with their children:
Be familiar with the pool and it’s safety rules. Make sure you know
how the depth of the pool changes. Most pools have a rope separating
the deep end from the shallow end.
Teach your children to not cross the rope.
Know how many lifeguards are on duty and where they are positioned.
Never leave your child unattended.
Make sure that your children always walk around the pool and don’t
get in the water without you.
It is a good idea to enroll your child in swimming lessons so they can become
familiar with the water. But don’t depend on your child’s skill to keep them safe.
They still need to be watched by an adult.
Family swimming can be both a fun and safe activity if both parents and children follow the rules.
