Coolest kid at the pool!

I love going to the pool at the local YMCA.

The cacophony of young voices screaming “Pastor Cyle,” “Pastor Cyle,” will always lift my spirits.

It is enjoyable to see families spending time together laughing and playing.  The pool seems to force dads to play with their younger children as they learn how to swim.

I watched a dad play pass in the pool with his tweenage sons–tweens are middle school age children.  The boys loved every minute of their father’s attention.

You can be intentional about the time you spend at the pool with your children. Here are some ideas for parents and caregivers:

• Try to spend at least 15 minutes of every hour interacting with your child/children in the pool.  Don’t just enjoy the free babysitting being done by the lifeguards.
• Take pool toys which will help you interact with your child.
• Go with friends so you can develop a relationship with them and their children.  Your child will also have someone to play with.
• Every hour reapply sunscreen.  Skin cancer is a very real threat.
• Be silly and do silly things.  Dive off the diving boards, go on the slides, and do giant cannonballs.  These silly moments build memories for your children.
• Tie your suit on tighter… I’m speaking from experience on this one. 🙂
• Don’t pee in the pool. According to a new study one in five adults pees in the pool. Don’t be that person.

What’s your favorite thing to do in the pool with your child/children?