We’re good parents. Our kids don’t go anywhere near the street, we still cut up hot dogs into little pieces, we don’t let them outside unsupervised, we do everything to the best of our ability to keep them safe.
But…. our child almost drowned today. That’s hard to write but it’s true.
We went to a swim party at a friends house who are also great, super safe parents. They are so safe and prepared that they hired a lifeguard to watch over the pool during the party. It was a great idea and one that I was extremely thankful for. After the actual party came to a close the lifeguard left, he had done his job. All the kids were safe and accounted for. That’s when we decided to let our kids get back in the pool for ten more minutes before we left.
Our toddler, Ellie, has no fear of water so we always stay by her and watch her like a hawk. This last few minutes was no different. I sat on the step right by her and watched her play in the water, filling up and emptying a bucket into the pool. There were several other adults and kids still in the pool but it wasn’t overly crowded or distracting, just a nice ending to a fun day. Damion came up behind me and I turned around long enough for him to tell me that he was going inside to change and then he would be ready to go. It was less than ten seconds. TEN SECONDS that I took my eyes off of Ellie.
As I opened my mouth to reply to Damion I heard our six year old scream, “Momma, Ellie’s in the pool!”. Looking back over my shoulder brought a horrible site. Ellie was floating, vertically, in the pool under the water. Only her hair could be seen on the top of the water. Her legs and arms were not moving under the water. Every adult started going that way but I got to her first and pulled her out.
She was ok. The fearless lover of water also knows how to hold her breath but it was terrifying. My heart stopped. Damion’s heart stopped. It was the scariest moment that we have ever had as parents.
To see your child floating in the water, knowing that it was your fault was more than I could almost handle.
There are a few things that made a difference in this day and a few things we are going to change to make sure it never happens again.
1. We have always taught our older kids that if they or one of their sisters ever falls into a pool to scream as loud as they can until an adult gets there. Grace saved Ellie’s life because she learned this and obeyed us in this. Yes, she got a nice reward of a root beer, which is her favorite thing in the world. She is an amazing big sister.
2. We have always taught our kids to hold their breath under water by blowing in their noses and then dunking them starting when they are only a few months old. Ellie did not spit any water out or throw up when we got to her because she had been holding her breath. In fact she was sucking on the lollipop that had been in her hand the entire time only a minute later.
3. From now on she will wear a Puddle Jumper Life Jacket 
when we are by the pool. We ordered one this afternoon after seeing several kids wearing them lately. They allow the child to safely float above the water while preventing them from flipping onto their chest. If you have a young child, look into them!
4. I’m going to talk openly to other parents about this, not afraid of the possible judgement that might come with it. So many parents don’t talk about things that happen to their kids because they don’t want to be judged as bad parents. The thing that helped me the most with dealing with this is a friend who came up to me as we were leaving and told me that the same thing had happened to her child at that age. The more you share accidents that have happened on your watch, the more real those possible accidents will become to other parents.
5. We’re going to forgive ourselves. We’re not bad parents. We are real, living breathing parents that are not perfect. We make mistakes daily and always will.
6. We’re going to praise God for His protection. As much as I want to say that she was saved from Grace yelling or her ability to hold her breath playing a part, God is the one that holds us in His hand. When we had her dedicated in the church and Robyn held her while we dedicated her, we asked for His constant protection over her. Today, as everyday, He was faithful in that.
Watch your kids, love you kids, trust God with your kids. Tonight I’ll be hugging and kissing my kids as tight as humanly possible.
So so thankful she is OK.
me too. 🙂
I am so thankful she could hold her breath. Wow. You are phenomenal parents. Try target and walmart – both places had those for less than $20. I have two – one that lives at my moms and one that lives in the swim bag. Talk about a heart-attack. xoxoxo
thanks Jacqueline! I did already order it though. It’s ok. We are around pools so much that I think we’ll get good use of it.
I’m so sorry you had this scare. I had a similar scare when my daughter was bathing with me sitting beside the bathtub. I looked down to unsnap her pj’s in preparation to put them on her. My older daughter said, ‘look, Mom’ and my baby had slipped under the water. It’s very, very scary, and like you, I was right there. I am so thankful your daughter is okay. I do have one comment about the floaties. When my kids were young, we had a pool. I never put floaties on them, because I didn’t want them to think that was the way it would feel if they got in the water unsupervised. I was afraid that it would make them overconfident, and my kids were similar to yours in that they weren’t afraid of the water. Of course, if you don’t have your own pool, you don’t have as much worry about them getting in without you as I did. I just didn’t want them to think that any time they got in the pool or water anywhere they would be able to float. We did have inflatable things, but no garments that they wore. So just a little bit different way of looking at it, but with the same goal of safety in mind. Having a pool, we made sure our kids could swim at a very early age. We also worked very hard to practice getting out of the pool, especially without the use of steps or a ladder.
I used to be against floaties for kids and my older two took infant survival swim lessons instead of wearing them. They started at 6 months learning how to flip on their back and float until the reached the side of the pool and could climb out. But the lady who teaches it in our area has been booked solid the past two years so Ellie never took them. However, I am going to call her tomorrow and tell her what happened and then beg her to fit us in. Until I can get her in some serious swim lessons, not just mommie and me, she is going to have to wear the floatie because she has no fear of water, whatsoever. I am glad that you worked so hard with your kids when they were little!
Praise God for saving your sweet Ellie and Grace for remembering and doing what you had taught her. For sure and for certain she needed the largest boot root available. We had a pool when we lived in Flower Mound, and I am not a good swimmer. One day when cleaning the pool I fell head first to the 5ft end. I panic and my husband hears all the comotion and helped me out. I was scared to point of not cleaning the pool when I was home alone. God is an awesome God. Large and incharge and is always right on time . I think you and Damion are wonderful parents and partners in raising your three blessings.
I am so happy that you were not seriously hurt and able to get out. We need you around!!
Thank you for posting this. Thank God for Ellie and her sisters, and for her Momma and Poppa. Thank you for Lord being in the hearts and spirits of all the one’s we love so that they can be our eyes and ears when we can not.
We would not judge you. We can only thank you for sharing, and teaching, so that maybe if something like this happens to us, we will have a similiar outcome.
God bless you sweet friend. Today won’t have any scary moments.
Today didn’t have any scary moments. today was good. 🙂
See I told you. Nicki Woo The Clairvoyant.
I’m glad your day was good 🙂
ok um miss Clairvoyant… can you please let me know what some winning lottery numbers would be. thanks.
My boss’ son drowned 6 years ago in a split second pool accident. They are wonderful people and brilliant parents. I’m so glad your outcome was different. Forgive yourself & share your story! You might save the life of another. God is good – I’m so glad that you were blessed today!
We are blessed. I’m so sad for your boss, that must have been so hard for him to overcome.
How very scary. Are you breathing normally yet?
yeah but we haven’t been back by a pool yet! then I might not do as well. She is such an awesome little girl, I can’t imagine my life without her. Tonight at bedtime she was hiding under my pillow so I couldn’t put her in bed. The chuckling coming from under the pillow did not give her away at all.
Oh sweetie. 3 summers ago. My youngest was 3. Just a moment I looked away. She was fine, but I will never forget. You post made me cry… because I know. Great tips. This is the season… parents should be reminded how serious this is.
thanks. it’s so fast. I am so thankful.
Okay, I am crying as I read this, but so thankful she is okay. Drowning is so scary and so silent. We make Erika wear one of those puddle jumpers..best thing I ever bought. And dont feel guilty…I think every parent has had a scare. I am just so thankful she is okay. Josh actually rescued a little one at one of those pool parties a couple of years ago. Love you and give Ellie a kiss for me…Oh, give them all kisses for me. Erika loves looking at your blog with me to see the pictures of the girls.
I am going to find a way to get down to Belieze! we miss you guys.
OMGosh, Bobbie! I’m so glad she’s ok! What a scary moment. And such a great big sister in Grace!
yeah it was scary but now we’ll be more careful and appreciative of every moment. 🙂
Micaela did something similar Memorial day weekend. She went to the edge of my brother’s pool and just climbed in but never let go of the side. Thankfully we got to her before she slipped but just a split second was all it took for her to get away from 4 adults who were focused on another screaming baby. I’m glad Ellie is ok and you and Damien are wonderful parents and nothing can change that. Even an occasional oops. Love you girl!!!
I’m glad Micaela was ok. It’s so scary. thanks brock 🙂
Oh my goodness, that is terrifying! So glad that she is safe and that all of your girls know how to be safe in the water (calling for an adult, holding her breath)
I remember talking to you about baby swim lessons and how they were taught water safety- thank goodness for your foresight.
Thanks Lisa. I hope you’re enjoying your trip!
I read a statistic that 80 percent of accidental childhood deaths are from drowning. It’s a very serious thing. I’m so glad that your daughter is safe and sound. Some acquaintances of ours are not so fortunate. Their daughter has been hospitalized for over a month after nearly dying from drowning. She heals a little each day and many many are praying for her recovery.
is that the little girl who’s dad is a pastor? I’ve been praying for her. I read on his blog the other day that they went and bought her new shoes to walk out of the hospital with. great faith.
Last summer my 3 yo walked right in the pool when I stepped away for just a second. Another child screamed and I turned to see him flailing in the water. I jumped in with my jeans on – he was fine, but I will never forget trying to fall asleep that night with all the ‘what-ifs’ running through my mind. It happens THAT FAST.
I’ve also had two children disappear and inexplicably go outside and get inside a hot car. Why on earth?? Fortunately they were not gone long enough before we noticed – but in Houston, it takes no time at all for a child to bake in a car. Even in the couple minutes that they were missing, they were drenched in sweat.
And we ARE “good parents”!!
Thank you Lord.
I know! I caught my four year old climbing into our van the other day and I gripped at her until I almost lost my breath because I just needed to get it into her head how serious that was. I agree, Houston and the heat cannot be trusted.
We are all good parents. 🙂 I’m glad your son was ok, so scary, I know.
How scary!!! I’m so glad that my youngest son (4yo) was able to take lessons this spring. In fact, he just finished swimming on our summer league swim team! It’s nice that I don’t have to be within an arms length of him any more but I still keep my eyes on ALL my kids. The pool can be a scary place for moms. I also am trying to teach my kids that they need to leave the doors to the car open between when mom tells them to start getting in the car and when mom starts the car. I tend to forget 5-10 things that I need to gather up before we leave. I hate walking out into the HOT garage and seeing them in the car with all the doors shut. Obviously we are still working on it! I know that bad things happen, even to good parents, and I’m glad you are taking positive steps to keep it from happening again.