Jul 20
You can never ever be too careful with kids around water
Cats: slack woman|This is a cautionary tale about a kid, a swimming pool and a mother who took her eye off the ball for a few seconds.
This story turned out OK, but it might not have.
And the mother still has nightmares about what might have happened that day.
July 20th, 2007 at 3:25 am
Wow G close call. But as you say all turned out well (this time). By the way did you manage to dry out and finish the book?
July 20th, 2007 at 3:44 am
I know your fright. I almost lost my daughter to a friend telling an engaging story but she was talking to air when I saw my daughter go under the water. Took me 3 days to get my sneakers dried out but now my daughter’s 12 and even though she can now swim I still don’t take my eyes off her in the water.
Thanks for telling your story.
July 20th, 2007 at 6:33 am
Yes Rowan, I dry it out and finish it but every time I think about it all I can see is the hat floating inside the tube in the pool
Thanks andrea. you never forget, do you
July 20th, 2007 at 6:39 am
We take W swimming regularly (she loves it), still donning arm bands and can only kick her legs (she’s only just realizing she can paddle with her hands). We think we are careful but you see some people at the pool where you end up keeping an eye on their kids to!
July 20th, 2007 at 8:15 am
Omigod, how frightening! I bet writing that column gave you the same chills and stomach lurches. So glad it turned out okay.
Margaret Atwood will do that to you. Got to see her speak last fall — adorable and smart and funny. She’s one of my top heroes.
July 20th, 2007 at 9:55 am
Wow GT, that gave me a throw-uppy feeling that you probably still feel when you think about it. We’ve had some close calls as well, those frightening moments when what could have happened didn’t and you beat yourself up over it for a life time. Thing is, yer not alone, it happens daily, we all want our yard apes to have challenges, etc. and bang-oh, backfire. The Great Yellow Orb was watching over you and all turned out well.
July 20th, 2007 at 1:14 pm
Tough call as to when paternal protection turns into neurosis. I’ve met some pretty insecure kids with low confidence as a result of neurotic parents in my day.