Baby Beluga

Our precious baby girl will be getting her first dip in the family swimming pool this summer. Or maybe sooner if global warming will kick in finally. It's FREEZING outside.

But many pediatricians will no doubt frown upon our decision because Baby Beluga is only going to be around 7 months old. That is way too young according to the American Academy of Pediatrics!

They believe that "children are not developmentally ready for formal swimming lessons until after their fourth birthday"!

We're not expecting her to swim laps or even hold her breath at her age. Our plan is merely to acclimate her to water (the way we have to a lesser degree in the tub) so that she doesn't end up like her father.

GASP.

Like her father??

Yes. Like me.

I am scared to death of water.

Well, I like thundershowers and a good soak in the tub with candles and classical music.

But I don't like deep bodies of water. Like the deep end of our pool. You see, I never was taught to swim when I was younger. I was never really made to feel comfortable in water. And it didn't help that some jerk knocked me into a pool when I was very young and the experience scarred me for life.

I don't want our daughter to end up petrified like me. All of our kids are natural born swimmers. They learned to love water, not be phobic of it.

Yes, it may be statistically true that drowning is still the leading cause of accidental death for 1 and 2 year olds.

But where are the parents?? Where is the supervision?? Where is COMMON SENSE??

Don't leave your children unattended in or near water. Always insist they wear life vests until they are proficient swimmers. Heck, our younger kids have to wear life vests even if they are just playing in the yard NEAR the pool.

You HAVE to keep your EYES on your children at all times around a swimming hole. PERIOD.

It's like driving with a cell phone. Nab the dummies that get into wrecks while using them, but leave me ALONE.

We know how to take care of our children. We know how to protect them around water. Please go watch your own children.

I think they just opened the pool gate. Shouldn't you go after them?