If not, please take some time out to go learn and if you do know then make sure your kids know too. I don’t ever give out parenting advice, just not my thing. We are all learning as we go for the most part so who I am to tell anyone what they should and should not do. BUT, the swimming piece I just couldn’t help myself.
A few weeks back, our family went to a river for some fun in the sun. Little did we know, it would end with a very scary experience.
My fiance and I purchased 3 life vests earlier in August and thank God for that. He, our daughter (11), and niece (13) went into the water for a swim. They challenged themselves to swim across and back. They made it all the way out but on the way back, my fiance got tired. At the same time, he started feeling claustrophic in his vest and took it off. Yes we know it was not the best decision!
This quickly turned into a panic as he felt the vest wasn’t holding him up and he began to shout for help. Fortunately, our daughter was near him so she tried to calm him down and keep him afloat. He really did not believe he would survive. My niece began to swim back to try and help because we were limited on vests and she was already in the water. My sister also jumped in with no vest and began to swim out towards him.
Side note: You might wonder why I didn’t jump in? Short version: I panicked as I got in due to a traumatic experience of almost drowning in my teenage years (even though I know how to swim!!)
Back to the story: Some good samaritans in a raft, kayak, boogie board, and swimming noodles all started going towards him to help also! Yes there are still very kind people in this world.
Ultimately, the kayak was the life saver. He was able to get to my fiance the quickest and was able to get him to hold on and brought him to shore.
My fiance threw himself on the ground and did not get up for a few minutes. My niece and daughter made it back to shore and instantly started crying. They were scared and overwhelmed. They are his heroes. They kept their cool and because they know how to swim and kept their vests on were able to keep him afloat.
My fiance knows how to swim but in that moment he was too tired and panic took over. Definitely did not realize what a great investment swimming lessons were for my daughter until that very moment where she was able to maintain her composure and help out her stepdad.
My daughter learned at summer camp (extra fee) but there are many YMCAs that offer lessons as well as Boys and Girls Clubs. Please look into it, it’s worth every dollar.
Marce's View 