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Understanding children and kids is the key essential to getting good solid cooperation. One of the
most important times for cooperation is when safety is involved. One has to be able to count on
kids to be safe and to help be safe. It is the key to a long and happy life.
Pool Safety
There are numerous laws and regulations concerning pool safety. These are in place because
pools and backyard water recreational areas can be one of the main causes for childhood injury
and death. This is not to say that a family should not partake in recreation of this type, but safety
has to be the highest priority.
It is not just drowning that a family has to worry about, there are many possible slip and fall
areas and countless other ways to become injured. Any family has to be able to count on the kids
to help make the area safe. So what are the best ways to put the younger members of the family
in the loop?
1. Know Your Kids
Children of all ages will surprises their parents in different ways. We have seen 3 years old
that will amaze the parents at their level of responsibility. We have also seen 10-year-old
children that under normal circumstances are quite well behave do outrageous things in other
circumstances.
Children are motivated by a different set of criteria than adults. Children do not think about
consequences and the future; they are motivated by the moment and the here and now. It does
not take long to know when your child is going to try to get away with something behind your
back. Know your child and you will know how to keep them safe.
2. Keep the Kids Involved
Children usually will feel better about rules when they understand them. Explaining why
something is the way it is will help keep the kids involved and help them better understand the
importance of the rules they need to follow.
Have the children pick up the pool toys at the end of the day or at the end of the swimming
session. Do this together with them and talk to them about why it is important to keep the pool
area clutter-free. The deeper their understanding of why it is important and the deeper their
level of cooperation will be. Let them know what can happen if there is too much clutter around
without getting too deeply into the subject, but ensure they understand what can happen.
Believe it or not, children like some structure in their lives. When it is almost time to go in, begin
cleaning things up with them. It makes them feel good about helping and it provides a transition
between having fun and going back in the house.
3. Share Your Thoughts
When your child asks if they can play in the pool, do not just tell them no, tell them why it is not
a good time. Help them come to their own conclusion about the choice. If it is too cold outside,
tell them that and ask them if they want to get sick. Most of the time the answer will be no and
they will have a better understanding of why you say no sometimes.
Be prepared to get back answers that are not what you want. When you ask the child if they want
to get sick, sometimes they may come back with a “yes” just to get what they want. At this point
you can either stand firm or you can have a little fun with them. If you are standing firm, at least
they know why. Otherwise, you can joke with them about getting sick and playfully move away
from the subject.
4. Count on the Worst Thing to Happen
This is the end all and be all of child safety. Too many times a parent thinks they can pop into
the house for a few seconds and everyone in the pool will be alright. The odds that something is
going to happen in those few seconds are low, but the price of a mistake can be enormous.
Bear in mind that in those few seconds a child can drown. Never make a choice unless you are
prepared to live with the consequences. Expect the best, but plan on the worst. It may be very
inconvenient at times, but it can save lives. This is a good time to let one of the kids be helpful
and go in the house for what you needed.
5. Have a Routine
Each pool session should have a small and short routine built around it. For example, maybe
there are pool toys that are stored near the pool. You can have the kids get out the toys before
going in the pool. At the same time, they can be getting out the safety supplies. At the end of the
session, everyone can pick things up and put them away.
Once they kids have gotten in the habit of getting ready for the pool, you will sometimes have
a little warning that the kids are about the go swimming without asking. You can help them get
ready and talk about the day with them while this is going on.
6. Teach Them How to Help
No one expects a 5-year-old to know CPR. On the other hand, there are some things that a 5-
year-old can understand and do. First and foremost, if something is wrong a child should know
to come and get a parent. This is made easier by handling all situations fairly whether they are
related to the pool or not. A child should never be afraid to come and tell a parent that something
has happened.
Make sure that children know about 911. In the event that something horrible does happen and
for some reason the parent cannot respond a child should know to pick up the phone and call.
Children will amaze you with how responsible they can be in the right situation.
In the end being communicative with the children helps immensely. If they know why you say
no sometimes and why you say yes, they can better understand pool safety. Also, keeping them
involved in the things that they can handle will make them a closer knit part of the family and
help them feel they are part of the solution and not part of the problem.
About the author:
Bob Quigly is a landscaping and family fun enthusiast
who writes on a variety of blogs for above ground pool pumps from BackYardOcean.com
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