Pool Mom

I’m pretty sure I forgot it was on & smiled anyway. . . . .... . . . #poolmom #covidparenting #swimminglessons #seattlemom #positivediscipline #proofofmom #playoutside #babybathtime #teachersofinstagram See more

My girl. But not really mine because she belongs to herself. Who else will swim on gray & rainy days? . . . .... #poolmom #preschoolactivities #gentleparenting #babyledswimming #preschoolswimming #pnwmom #swimteacher #babybathtime #earlychildhoodeducator #wateractivities #naturalparenting #positivedisciplineassociation #alfredadler See more

There’s a first time for everything... and today? Flippers! Pop over to my stories & see how it went. Let me know if you’re curious about introducing these to your babes. . . . .... #poolmom #iseeswimming #swimlessons #preschoolactivities #childledplay #earlychildhoodeducation #parenting #connectedparenting #attunement #underwaterkids #playbasedlearning #preschoolswimming See more

Mermaid Window: This spark for underwater play is brought to you by yours truly from the late 80s. I think it’s longevity makes this game a timeless classic! Molly (4) is so very into imaginary play right now. If your swimmer is too, try this & let me know how it unfolds! The plot lines are boundless & this game is often the only one we need during our 1 hour pool reservation.... How to play: The hook is the underwater lights at the pool! The overflow drain in the bath tub will also work. Gesture to it & ask, Do you know about the mermaid window? You’ll know Mermaid Window is a good fit when it becomes the Platform 9 & 3/4 of your pool play. (That’s a Harry Potter reference to the gateway of the magical world. ) #PoolMom #swimteacher #playbasedlearning #underwaterkids #teachwithaloha #earlychildhood #latenightnursingfeed #teachersofinstagram #nurture #SwimmingLessons #seattlemoms #swimwithlove #iseeswimming #mtm_sunnysummer #cosleeping #naturalparenting #babyledweaning #positivediscipline #earlychildhoodeducation #poollife #wildandbravelittles #wholebrainteaching #wholechildeducation #WholeChild #underwaterbaby #peacefulparenting #consciousparenting #attachmentparenting

Who here is a fan of risky play as a teacher? Molly (4) played on a blow-up Pegasus in the pool the other day, & it falls on the riskier side of the spectrum - but I was ready! Invisible forces carried her into the deep end. Later, Pegasus caught the breeze & she swam after it. You can expect & anticipate both scenarios; we can prepare for responding to it. When kids have floaties, stay close to the rider, keep it away from deeper water as needed, & assist child to recover th...emselves to the nearest wall before fetching the toy. Inflatable toys are tough to wrangle & too pretty to resist; balancing safety & embracing enjoyment (ie, projecting calm) takes a little getting used to. Playing with floaties is riskier where bodies of water are larger, have stronger winds, & currents. They have the potential to draw riders into less safe conditions, plus floaties block our view of our swimmers (& the lifeguards’.) A safe choice MIGHT be to anchor the floatie. Use good judgement on that to avoid tangles. In the pool scenario I described, I followed closely behind her. Kids gain a ton of information through experience & at the same time, need us close. As she approached the Pegasus in the deep end, her reach actually pushed it away (aargh) & it continued to elude her - & frustrate & tire her out. I coached her to back float to catch her breath, then find the nearest wall. You can also push kids to the wall when they need it. We had the talk: take care of your safety first, abandon the floatie, ask a grown-up for help getting it. Floaties are replaceable! Once we retrieved Pegasus, she tried swimming it back while holding it with one arm around its golden mane. Experiencing the risky side of Pegasus (that glittering temptress!) + her need to feel responsible & make the situation right again seems like an alright life lesson to me. Tailor your water parenting to what’s right & safe for you. What works depends on your abilities, experiences, & your kids. If you are solo & have multiple non-swimmers who aren’t in PFDs / life jackets / puddle jumpers, your risky play scenarios will look different. Swipe for a summary of what to teach. @ Washington