Why you should sign your child up for swim lessons, now.
The CDC states that every day, about 10 people die from unintentional drowning. Of these, two are children aged 14 or younger. WHO states drowning ranks third among the leading causes of unintentional injury death in the world. Additionally, the Florida Department of Health has stated that Florida’s drowning death rate among children ages 1-4 is the highest in the nation. This is why you should sign your child up for swim lessons.
Raising boys in the state of Florida where pools are almost in everyone’s backyard, the decision to get swim lessons is crucial. I experienced this firsthand with my firstborn, Robert. Going off of a poor memory, I want to say he was 2-3 years old. I started him in swim lessons at Lake Lytal in West Palm Beach, FL. He would go 2-3 times a week for a 1 hour lesson.
My plead to you
On the Saturday night, following his very first week of lessons, we were at my in laws house after a day of BBQ and swimming in the pool, we were all dressed and ready for an outdoor movie. Suddenly, Robbie approached me, soaking wet! Surprised, I asked, why are you wet!? He told me he fell into the pool! I asked, who helped you get out?! He told me he swam to the edge and climbed out. I began to cry and thank God for his swim lesson that week. The memory haunts me to this day.
Getting to safety was the very first thing the instructors taught in beginners swim lessons. If it weren’t for the swim lessons, Robert could have had a very different ending to this story. Although the house was full of family, not one person saw him fall into the pool. Including myself, which I have a lot of guilt over. You see, we don’t live life anticipating tragedy. But accidents happen every day and no one is exempt. His 2 classes of swim lessons, literally saved his life.
We moved from Florida in 2015 and now I have another son, who doesn’t know how to swim. He is 1.5 years old. We live in Boston right now and pretty much never go swimming (too cold) unless we are traveling. We plan to move back to Florida in 18 months and getting swim lessons for Atlas will be one of the first things we do.
PIN FOR LATER!
Where to find swim lessons
Please, don’t wait any longer, especially if your child is around water. Swim lessons can save lives. I believe parent-child led swim lessons begin as early as 6 months old. Google your local swimming pool, ymca or click here and type in your zip code: www.usaswimmingfoundation.org
Do you have a swim lesson story or experience?
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