The heat is here in Salt Lake City. When it is already in the 90’s at the beginning of June we know we are in trouble. It’s time to find ways to cool off. What better way to cool of than to get in the water?
Going swimming is something you can do with your kids that is relatively inexpensive, and if you are a single mother, that is always necessary.
When Hailey was younger I always tried to have some kind of water fun at home, even if it was a sprinkler and one of those plastic kiddie pools. It may not be a beach, but it will cool you off.
As fun as it is to beat the heat by going into the water, it can be dangerous. When you are a single mother and everyone heads off in a different direction it can be almost impossible to keep all of your children in your line of sight at all times.
Swimming classes are mandatory. If you can’t afford classes, take the kids swimming one at a time until you are confident they can swim. Also insist on flotation devices, no flotation devices, no water time.
Learn CPR. Hopefully you will never need it but better safe than sorry.
In addition to making sure your children can swim, educate them about dangers like diving into shallow water. Talk to your children about the importance of swimming with a buddy and what to do if they or someone else is in trouble.
If you take your children swimming alone, which you will most likely do if you are a single mother, set the rules before hand and let the kids know, if anyone doesn’t’ follow the rules, we all leave. Insist that they all swim together, in an area that you can easily supervise, no jumping, running or diving, and if the floaties come off, out of the water they come.