via www.statesman.com: Tara A. Trower gives a Mama Drama first-person account of why it's so important to be on guard as your child develops as a swimmer. Her key point: swimming lessons are a process. As your child gains confidence, you, mom, need to watch to make sure their confidence doesn't outpace their ability. Tara's very detailed, explaining what to do at each phase. IT'S A MUST READ FOR MOTHERS.
TO SUPPORT CHILDREN AND/OR FAMILIES WHO CAN NOT AFFORD SWIMMING LESSONS, MAKE A DONATION HERE, AT THE USA SWIMMING FOUNDATION.
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GOLD MEDAL MEDIA
(I swam, I swim, and as a swimmer I love swimming)
Gold Medal Mel (Stewart) is a 3-time Olympic medalist and Ambassador of USA Swimming. He strives to promote water-safety because it is the 2nd leading cause of accidental death in children under the age of 14 years old.
Hi Robin....thanks for the comment... You're right! Olympians are the most careful around the water, and respectful of the water. You must be respectful and understand that even the best swimmers experience moments where they can't swim. It's rare, but we've all witnessed it.
Posted by: gmm | May 17, 2011 at 07:01 AM
Excellent point. I work at a swim school's office, and so many parents ask before even starting, "How many lessons until they can REALLY swim?" with the obvious subtext of "when can I sit on deck and read a book or sunbathe without having to watch them like a hawk?" My standard, hopefully kind response is, "Well, they have lifeguards even at the Olympics. With kids, you always want to have your eyes on them, and being within arms' reach or at least a few swim strokes' reach is a good thing."
Posted by: Robin | May 17, 2011 at 06:47 AM