We just opened our pool, and while I was excited, I also felt a wave of apprehension. I have two young children—two daring, curious little ones—who now have direct access to an open body of water. This means I’ll need to keep a watchful eye on them every second.
Fortunately, I have some peace of mind this summer: my kids have gone through the Infant Swimming Resource (ISR) program.
Last year, I learned about ISR after my friend completed the program with her little one. I came across videos showing babies and toddlers being tossed into the water, and I cringed at their fearful expressions. The thought of it made me uneasy, and I quickly dismissed the idea.
However, after listening to heart-wrenching accounts from parents who had lost toddlers to drowning, my perspective shifted. One story, in particular, struck a chord with me:
On a day like any other, during a mom’s boot camp at a park, one mother volunteered to watch the toddlers while I stepped away. I was gone only a moment, but when I returned, I couldn’t find my 15-month-old son. Panic set in as I spotted ripples in a nearby canal. Running over, I was relieved to find my son floating calmly—exactly as he had been trained to do. He had saved himself! Though he was shaken, he was alive and well. I couldn’t express the gratitude I felt for the ISR program and its incredible instructors. That moment solidified my decision to enroll both my children.
The ISR classes began with a gentle introduction to the water, aimed at easing my kids’ fears. Initially, they were resistant and even cried out to me for help. It broke my heart to watch, yet I knew it was essential. We persevered, and eventually, their confidence grew. After a few classes, the tears faded and they began to look forward to their swim lessons.
Yes, it was a commitment. The sessions lasted just ten minutes—perfect for a toddler’s attention span—running Monday through Friday for about nine weeks. But was it worth it? Absolutely. Teaching my kids skills that could potentially save their lives in water is invaluable.
If your little ones will be near a pool this summer, especially if you have one at home, I urge you to consider ISR and its mission to prevent drownings. The program is available for babies as young as six months, and my son mastered the self-rescue technique in just weeks. My daughter, though a bit more hesitant, also graduated, successfully floating on her back in full clothing for two minutes, all while beaming with pride.
If you’re unsure about putting your child through this experience, I completely understand. I was there too. But ultimately, I reasoned that hearing their cries in a safe environment was far better than the alternative of never hearing them again.
For more details about ISR or to find a certified instructor nearby, check out infantswim.com. And if you’re exploring pregnancy options or home insemination, you might want to read our other blog post here. For authoritative resources, visit Make A Mom for their incredible selection on home insemination kits, and don’t forget to check out the fertility services at Johns Hopkins for more expert guidance.
Summary
Opening my pool brought excitement and apprehension as I enrolled my kids in Infant Swimming Resource lessons. Despite their initial tears, the skills they learned are invaluable for their safety around water. This commitment resulted in confident little swimmers who can save themselves if needed.