Prayer Request & Swimming
Today upon arriving at Morgan's "Survival Swim Class" I learned of a precious 2 year old boy who drowned this morning in our town. My heart is sick with grief and I can't imagine how this family is doing tonight. As Justin tucks the girls in bed I can't help but think that it could be me grieving the loss of one of mine tonight. My niece's nanny lives in the same apartment complex and it could have been her. Please pray for this family. When I hear of tragedies like this it makes me all the more grateful for what Morgan is learning this week. It is not important that she learn to swim it is absolutely vital. And to think that I fussed about the fence going up around our pool. I urge you {ESPECIALLY IF YOU HAVE A POOL OR BODY OF WATER NEAR YOUR HOUSE} to find something similar to what Morgan is doing and sign your toddler up. Never in a million years would I have thought my child would learn to swim in 3 days. She went from kicking, screaming, pulling me in, and running away on Monday to jumping off the diving board in 10 feet of water on Wednesday. Do I think this means she's not at risk for drowning in our pool? No. But I do think her chances of surviving a fall into our pool are exponentially greater than they were on Monday! Monday she would have drowned; Wednesday she would kick her feet and swim to the side. I'm going to embed two short videos to show you her in action today.
Paige even had a try at swimming in class today. At 22 months I didn't enroll her in the class, but now that I see what Morgan can do I intend to enroll her in a couple weeks. She went to the wall 4 times under water today and I think a few more times and she'd have the hang of it! Is it easy to see your 22 month old child dunked under water and pushed to a wall? No. But I guarantee it's a lot less painful than finding her unresponsive in our pool.
I have a video of her jumping off the diving board to the instructor and swimming to the side but for some reason it continues to fail to upload to YouTube. If I get it figured out I'll add it later! For now there are just 2... video 1 is in 10 feet of water... video 2 is in the shallow end.
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12 comments:
Darby...I am eager to learn more. How did you find this instructor? I've researched a few programs in our area (Newnan, GA), but can't seem to find any with similar goals. Is there a certifying group for your instructor? Maybe I can look that up.
Thanks in advance for any help.
I appreciate you sharing the prayer request...our family will certainly be praying for them.
I can't imagine what that family is going through....seriously, the worst fear imaginable being true...gol, makes your heart ache....
I'm VERY impressed about your little one and her swimming! Avery is almost 6, and she is very scared of putting her head, ears, mouth, nose anywhere near the water. If yours can do it, maybe mine can too? I'm curious to know about it...share, will ya?! :) Thanks dear!
Darby,
I, too, had the same fear about my children drowning because we have a pool and a pond on our property. Landry is finishing her lessons this week. Friday will be her last day. I don't think our programs are the same, but they have the same goal. My daughter takes the program that was featured on the today show this morning. It is called ISR or infant swimming research. It basically teaches kids, as young as six months, to roll over and float in the water if they were to fall in. When they complete the program, on the last day they are put into the water with their clothes on and shoes tied together and one arm stuck in their clothes. This is supposed to similate actually falling in accidentally and maybe dislocating an arm or some other injury. It's amazing to watch these kids, time and time again, to automatically turn over and float. It is truly a life saver! We have had way too many friends lose their little ones to drowning, and I feel like you, that it is almost our responsibility as parents to equip them as best we can. Especially if there is a pool or body of water on our property. I am going to video tape Landry on Friday for her final lesson with her clothes on and am planning on posting it on my blog, too. I'm so glad you got her enrolled! Your summer will be so much more fun!
Way to go, Morgan!
Darby, Thank you for encouraging this! I'm passing this blog post to my mommy friends of toddlers!
Love you, girl.
Proud of you and Morgan!!
Shireen
that breaks my heart. thank you for sharing so we can all lift that family up in prayer.
morgan is doing an outstanding job!! i am very impressed. you really have encouraged me to sign Finn up!! Thanks!!
Thanks for sharing, my heart aches for that family and the loss of their precious son.
Morgan is doing so well in her lessons! Way to go Mom and Morgan!
So sad to hear the news.
I just found out one of our friends' one year old little boy touched the open door of their oven and burned his hands really bad - doctors are saying he possibly won't have 100% use of his hands as he develops because of this. These tragedies are so shockingly memorable especially as they hit close to home. Close to home because they are all to real possibilities for us with small children. I will pray for this family and thank you for sharing.
By the way, I thought you said that was Morgan in the video... it sure looks like Ariel to me.
Yeah Morgan! I am so proud of her! I want Caleb to learn to swim as soon as possible!
My heart aches for this family. I will be praying for them.
Hi Darby,
My name is Caroline Shaw. I went to Houston Academy when Justin was there. I had a HUGE crush on him (he was probably a senior when I was in 7th or 8th grade). My parents, Julie and Steve Shaw, still live in Dothan. Anyway, I am ADDICTED to reading your blog...your children are absolutely beautiful!!! I hope I will one day have a family half as cute as yours :) keep blogging!
D- I'm SO proud of Morgan AND of you for being a smart mommy and a brave one too!
I heard about that family today at group..I can't even imagine. We will definitely be praying for them.
That is so awesome how well Morgan did after such a short time.
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