Swimming With Your Toddler

Splash!

Last night my parents and I visited my mom’s friends house for some “swimming lessons” at their pool. The weather was perfect and the pool was great fun indeed!

We all enjoyed ourselves splashing in the pool and my parents certainly made sure that I was at all times within their arm’s reach. The best way to keep little swimmers like me out of harm’s way is by practicing what the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) calls “touch supervision” — being close enough to reach out and touch your child at all times.

I cannot stress supervision enough. We’re little and can’t be trusted on our own at all (I’m an HONEST TODDLER). Your tot had swimming lessons? Great, but still – be sure to stay close.

Further, you’ll also want to make sure your new swimmer doesn’t swallow too much water while splashing around (something we often do), which could possibly lead to water intoxication, a rare but serious condition resulting from excessive fluid intake. So watch out for gulpers and keep any underwater submersion’s brief.

Here’s to safe fun in the sun!

Enjoying The Summer With Your Toddler

There is no place like the pool on a hot summer day!

We have triple-digit temperatures in the Chicago area right now and what’s the best way to cool off? The pool, of course! After work mommy and daddy got my mini pool out so I can play and splash! Although my pool is small, a number of fun activities can be set up for us! My mommy encouraged me to stand up and simply stomp my feet in the water or we played with my rubber ducks! Another fun idea would be to have a variety of objects on the pool floor, such as pennies, small toys or rocks. Set an egg timer to see how many objects your toddler(s) in the pool can pick up with their feet and pass on to their partner (either you or a friend) outside of the pool in the allotted time.

Happy playing and don’t forget to stay cool!

Taking Your Toddler To The Water Park

Big Fun For Little Splashers!

Over the weekend my parents took me to Barefoot Bay Family Aquatic Center in Mudelein which was a lot fun! Barefoot Bay Water Park is a New England-themed, six acre family water retreat! We love it because it offers amenities for swimmers of all ages (including tots my age!).

When it’s hot and sticky, a water park is most definitely the best place to stay cool, however, a few guidelines must be in place so you and your toddler(s) will enjoy the water park!

1. My parents supervised me at all times even though the Barefoot Bay Family Aquatic Center employ lifeguards, but I think that no one can substitute the watchful eye of a parent or guardian, don’t you agree?
2. Make sure you provide us with enough snacks – which by the way – is a great way to get us to take a break! We’re small, so we get worn out very easily when playing in the water, in fact, I got so tired I took a nap in the shade as well.
3. Sunscreen is important! Don’t forget to use 50 and up sunscreen on us! I wore swim trunks and a shirt – yet my mommy made sure that I was covered all over my body with sunscreen (even under my shirt!).

After my nap I was ready to splash some more and go down the mini slide! It was so much fun!

What did you do over the weekend?