When It Comes To Our Children….We CAN Do Anything!
by Jessica Pinter, MS WSI
It seems that these words are thought daily. From the moment you become a parent you begin to improve so many areas of your life. First and foremost, you become an excellent early riser. You learn to multitask in the wee hours of the morning. It becomes second nature. You learn about pediatric medications for almost every sickness. You learn the best way to fix boo-boos. You get a game plan for every potential emergency. You know who to call in the middle of the night if something happens. You find the best and fastest route to the hospital. You brush up on the current CPR procedures. As your children grow, you learn the best culinary disguises for vegetables. You re-learn the rules to games you haven’t played since you were a child.
You are in control and in a groove, but something is missing. You can’t swim. You never could and fear has kept you from even attempting to learn. It is the scariest thought in the world that our children might put themselves into a dangerous situation that renders us helpless. That is exactly what will happen if your child falls into the water and you are the only one around. What would you do? Scream for help? Try to grab them from the edge knowing that if you fall in as well you will not be able to keep your child or yourself afloat? The answer to these questions is clear. You MUST learn to swim.
It is so important for ALL adults to learn to swim and be safe in and around the water. Remember…You CAN do anything!
WHAT I'VE LEARNED ABOUT FEARby Jeff Krieger, MS
Please keep in mind the following important points that I have learned after many years as both an aquatic and mental health professional regarding the issue of "fearful swimmers":
1) There is a SIGNIFICANT difference between a child or an adult who has never had an opportunity to learn to swim properly and and those who have never learned to swim, despite possibly having the opportunity to do so, as a result of their fear of water.
2) Individuals that have never learned how to swim, either as a result of fear or not, remain a high risk for drowning as well a poor resource to help someone else that is drowning due to their low "Aquatic IQ".
3) Helping an individual overcome their fear of water requires more focus on the emotional roadblocks rather than teaching them the nuts and bolts of aquatic skill building. Trying to teach a person how to swim without first teaching them how to understand, manage and overcome their fear is truly putting the cart before the horse.
4) The wounds that can result from an individual's fear of water can be deep, very painful, wide ranging and long lasting. They can impact one's emotional and physical health in a very negative way, as well as relationships with family and friends, their careers and overall lifestyles.
5) Fortunately, with the right resources, anyone can overcome their fear of water, regardless of age, fitness level or life experience and move on to enjoy the many emotional, physical and recreational benefits that result from participating in aquatic activities.
6) Unfortunately, most traditional "learn to swim" programs often do not or cannot make those resources available to this highly diverse population of fearful swimmers. As a result, many of them give up their pursuit of a process that will help them feel comfortable, competent and safe in water.
7) For additional information on how to help fearful swimmers succeed in water, please visit www.WaterPhobias.com or www.aquabilitieswithjennifer.com
"Fear can be a powerful motivator, rather than a painful deterrent."
