Soapbox Moment- WATCH YOUR CHILDREN!!

Have you heard about the poor toddler who drowned after first crawling through the doggie door? The family is suing the doggie door maker, placing the blame for the child's drowning. They feel the doggie dog manufacturer should have warned people this could happen or taken appropriate steps to prevent children from crawling through them.

I work at a pool. I know drowning statistics. I also know the only way to prevent drowning is to WATCH YOUR CHILDREN!

I can remember when my boys were toddlers, even within the house, I never let them out of my sight. If it meant I couldn't take a shower until DH got home or that I had an audience when I had to do my business, so be it. We had baby proofed our home, but I didn't trust that completely.

If I lived in a home with a swimming pool, I would have a locked fence around it. I would also get my baby into lessons at age 5 months. Toddlers can be taught to roll over and float on their backs so they can maintain their airway long enough for you to pluck them from the water. That is provided you are watching them so you are aware they are in danger!

When we did go swimming, I didn't trust floatation devices. I always kept the boys within arms reach at all times. It meant I had to wear my infant in a sling while I splashed with my toddler, but not once did anyone lose their footing, go under and be tramatized. My boys learned to swim without fear.

Of course being able to swim does NOT prevent you from drowning. This is why you must always swim with a lifeguard present or someone watching, ready to "reach and throw." Unless you are trained, never jump in to save someone drowning. Reach out to them with poles or throw them flotations. A drowning person will bring you down.

I do feel sorry for this family's huge loss, but its not the doggie door's fault. For that short time they weren't watching, this kid found his way outside. Little guys know how to open doors too.

Take for instance, the family who's young son unlocked their door and wandered out into the woods for two days. They aren't suing anyone. They simply said, "We need to install the lock higher."

Last night a 3 year old wandered out from the locker room unattended. (I can't tell you how often a parent dresses their child and then tells them to go out while they themselves change.) This little one picked up our stamps and began to stamp the backs of her hands, which most kids enjoy doing. However, without a parent watching, she began to roll up her sleeves and stamp away. I offered her paper but she refused.

For about 20 minutes, I did my best to keep my eye on her, but I'm alone at the desk. I have to answer the phone, check people in, assist with guest's needs. I can't babysit. The mom comes out and sees her daughter's inked arms and glares at me!

When my children were 3, there is no way I would have allowed them to be unsupervised for 20 minutes, let alone unsupervised at a swimming pool!! We do have lifeguards, but with hundreds of families coming and going you need to supervise your own. The danger isn't just the pool.

I have often had to leave my post and make a run for the parking lot because little ones walk out the door. I usually sit them down behind the desk and its amazing how long it takes for a parent to come looking for them!

I did lose DS10 once. At a Toys R Us at Christmas. He was a toddler and he squeezed past me and the cart. Blocked by a mountain of toys stacked in the aisle, I lost my arm's reach on him and he took off running. 30 seconds later, a kind woman stopped him, picked him up and began walking towards us. I bought a wrist tether at Toys R Us that very day.

My point is, I was watching and was aware the second he became in danger. His little feet may have been faster, but because I was watching, I knew which direction he took off in. There is no substitute for directly watching your children. Its what makes the difference.

Whenever I hear of a child drowning, it breaks my heart because I know they were left unattended for more than 3 minutes. Children drown in only inches of water, not just swimming pools. Whether your doggie door locks or not, won't make a difference. This kid could have slipped into the toilet! Sounds stupid, but why was this toddler able to crawl through the doggie door unnoticed? The blame as tragic as it is, has to return to the parents of that child.

One of these days, I'm going to snap. I almost did last fall at the beach. We came across a toddler, sleeping on a blanket, next to the water's edge of Lake Michigan, no parent in sight. We stood guard over this child until the mother returned. I wanted to lay into her. She had taken her older child to the bathroom and didn't want to wake up her sleeping toddler. She didn't think about the possibility he may wake and wander into the lake, or very easily been plucked up by a pedofile and taken away! I hope we scared her enough she won't do this ever again.

Thanks for letting me vent. One of these days I'm going to stop reading the news!