Disclaimer: This post was sponsored by SwimWays as part of an Activation for Influence Central. I received products to facilitate my review.
Growing up in Florida, swimming came very natural to me. I was two years-old when my grandmother gave me the nickname of “her dolphin” because I was the only person who could stay in the water as long as her. Having been such a water lover, I never had a fear of it– until I became a parent. Four of my six children are not swimmers and that is very frightening to me. It has become such a fear, I have memorized every home in our neighborhood that has a pool, we don’t attend social events in homes with pools, and I know where the closest bodies of water are near my home. Until each child can prove they are a skilled swimmer, I don’t think I can enjoy water activities with my family.
SwimWays wants to make swimming enjoyable for everyone — even the mom’s who are living in fear of the water for their children, like me. This is why they stated National Learn to Swim Day in 2012 and became a leader in helping children learn to swim.
While we continue to work with our preschoolers, our youngest son is experiencing the water for the first time. Baby Boy (age 1) is learning about the SwimWays Baby Spring Float by playing with it indoors with his dolls, and watching it float in our friends’ pool. He isn’t fond of the cool water yet (her pool is still a chilly 73 degrees), but he did enjoy pretending it was a boat and watching it float. I think observing the float in action, touching it, and getting to understand what it is has helped prepare him for his first real use. (If you have a young child who is a “thinker”, I suggest easing him/her into the float by letting them explore the SwimWays Baby Spring Float before you head to the water.)
Over the years our family has had dozens of baby floats and none of them are as easy to transport and inflate as the SwimWays Baby Spring Float. Within minutes I had the float floating and I wasn’t even winded from blowing it up!
The mesh seat offers Baby Boy the same comfort as bloomers over his swimsuit and allows the water to move freely.
How will you Celebrate National Learn to Swim Day?
This year’s 5th annual National Learn to Swim Day on May 21, 2016, encourages parents and caregivers nationwide to celebrate in their own way. Host a pool party, teach a class, or attend a local event. Make learning to swim a priority this May before summer kicks into full swing AND don’t skip another pool party!