What do you see when you look at that picture? A lovely little girl? A nice beach? A picture of summer? Want to know what I see? A pending drowning scenario and possibly death. Cheery I know, and not a very “Summer Fun!” kind of attitude…but I am weary of my children and water. They don’t seem to mix….or they mix too well…I’m not sure which.
I am sitting here trying not to freak out that I have allowed Princess Pouty….my baby girl….to go on a beach play date. There are 3 kids and 2 adults. She is lathered in SPF 55 sunblock…she has a hat, sunglasses, t-shirt, change of clothes and 2 flotation devices that she is to wear at all times. Why? Because I have witnessed that girl go under twice….and she is lucky I do not put her in the tub with a bubble.
This is a huge play date for her and for me. For her because she is with a girl she has wanted to spend more time with….a girl she will go off to kindergarten with….and she feels so grown up to have gone off for an adventure without me. It is a huge play date for me because she is near water and I am not there. I am just about ready to breathe in to a paper bag. I don’t want to be one of those mothers that lets their child do nothing due to my crazy worry….but I really am counting the minutes until she is back. I may as well have sent her mountain climbing or sky diving.
I’ll let you know how she does and how I do in this afternoon of giving up a little control…..of truly pushing myself outside my comfort zone. I am plainly ill prepared for the teenage years. Though I am sure I’ll have moved on to some fairly powerful anxiety meds by then. I’m not even sure how much I am joking about that. I am far worse at letting go than I though…
___________________________________________________________
It is now bedtime and Princess Pouty is all tubbied and tucked in bed. She had a glorious day and did not make it home until nearly 7pm. She snugged up to me after her tub and I thanked her for being so good….for listening…and coming home safe. She wrinkled her little nose and giggled…then looked at me wide eyed and asked: “When wasn’t I safe today?” I wasn’t sure how to answer with my crazy worst-case-scenario-mind so I wrapped her in her towel tight and told her I was not sure…but my heart is always happiest when she has a great day and comes home to me. What more is there to say?
{ 4 comments… read them below or add one }
I sent my daughter to a water park birthday party last weekend. She was the only person invited, so it was the parents, and 4 kids. I sent her with a flotation device as well. It was the most scary 4 hours of my life. I watched my daughter try to drown last summer and I don't think I'll ever forget it. I ended up rescuing her at the pool, the life guard was too busy twirling their whistle. I actually abandoned my 6 month old son in a float, screamed at my friend to watch him (who had her 3 to watch) and went after her. I totally understand how you feel!
I got a call at 4:20pm that a wonderful time was had by all. I am sure she had an amazing time…that is also about 3 hours longer than my brain cells could have handled a water outing with her.
KSBA…I have been in the same place. I have had to rescue Pouty SO many times…and then thought how easily I could have lost another as I plucked her from the water. I swear I will have nightmares for the rest of my life about her and water.
I am now off to pick her up from her friend's house. They asked if she could stay for dinner. Since they weren't eating in a pool, I figured I could handle it
XOX
I have three who are not afraid. My oldest is distracted… And I will give him random directions before we go to the pool… And if he doesn’t comply I will remind him that if he is not paying attention I will not let him in the water. Mst of the time it snaps him to attention. I also have two friends who I will take my children to a pool with. You know the good kind who don’t get bugged out that I’m not looking at them and have my eyes on the pool like a hawk locked on a rabbit. Water is scary stuff… and you can’t mess around. The big boy just learned to swim without floats which is even scarier to me now! Thank you for posting your experience and that it had a happy ending!!!
I swear, I am always…ALWAYS….going to freak out when I know Pouty is near water. Fingers crossed I’ll lighten up enough to let more *happy endings* happen