A beach fear
halfshadow1
Hey all, We went to the beach today,the water was rough and for the
first time i didn't hold my son's hand while walking near the water.He
was walking in the surf and damn it, he got knocked down.
I saw it happen,i was right there and went to grab him...it was that
darn slow motion type thing,ya know? I got him up and he was okay but
i have always had this fear of him getting knocked down and dragged
out and under. Scary for me. If there are no rip tides can it happen?
Will he be pushed to shore if he falls and be okay? How are your kids
at the beach? Do you carefully watch them. Do you let them go in the
surf? I want to keep holding his hand. I always did until today.I
don't know if i should let him explore but i very protective of him.
thanks, Heather mom of Lukas who will be 6 in Oct.
first time i didn't hold my son's hand while walking near the water.He
was walking in the surf and damn it, he got knocked down.
I saw it happen,i was right there and went to grab him...it was that
darn slow motion type thing,ya know? I got him up and he was okay but
i have always had this fear of him getting knocked down and dragged
out and under. Scary for me. If there are no rip tides can it happen?
Will he be pushed to shore if he falls and be okay? How are your kids
at the beach? Do you carefully watch them. Do you let them go in the
surf? I want to keep holding his hand. I always did until today.I
don't know if i should let him explore but i very protective of him.
thanks, Heather mom of Lukas who will be 6 in Oct.
Pamela Sorooshian
Maybe our beaches are really different. So - take this with a grain
of salt (get it? <G>).
By six years old my kids were playing happily in the ocean, including
playing in the smaller waves closer to shore.
I didn't hold their hands at the beach, ever. I stayed close by, but
let them play on their own even when they were babies. I have
wonderful video of my 9 month old at the beach - someone sets her
down and she gets up on her hands and knees and makes a beeline for
the water - crawling at super-fast speed. She heads straight into the
water, head first, gets knocked down, sits up and is laughing with
all her might. She's been crazy for the ocean all her life. She's
gone ocean kayaking, swum with sea lions, and dived from high cliffs
into the ocean. My other kids were more careful, not as crazy about
the ocean as my oldest, but, still, by six, yes, they were splashing
about in the water, up to waist high or so, on a regular basis.
You have to know your own child, but my experience is that kids will
usually do what is safe and comfortable for them IF they've always
had the freedom to try things. The most unsafe kids have always been
those who were so "protected" that they didn't learn to judge risk or
judge their own competencies for themselves.
-pam
of salt (get it? <G>).
By six years old my kids were playing happily in the ocean, including
playing in the smaller waves closer to shore.
I didn't hold their hands at the beach, ever. I stayed close by, but
let them play on their own even when they were babies. I have
wonderful video of my 9 month old at the beach - someone sets her
down and she gets up on her hands and knees and makes a beeline for
the water - crawling at super-fast speed. She heads straight into the
water, head first, gets knocked down, sits up and is laughing with
all her might. She's been crazy for the ocean all her life. She's
gone ocean kayaking, swum with sea lions, and dived from high cliffs
into the ocean. My other kids were more careful, not as crazy about
the ocean as my oldest, but, still, by six, yes, they were splashing
about in the water, up to waist high or so, on a regular basis.
You have to know your own child, but my experience is that kids will
usually do what is safe and comfortable for them IF they've always
had the freedom to try things. The most unsafe kids have always been
those who were so "protected" that they didn't learn to judge risk or
judge their own competencies for themselves.
-pam
On Jul 3, 2007, at 6:43 PM, halfshadow1 wrote:
> .I
> don't know if i should let him explore but i very protective of him.
> thanks, Heather mom of Lukas who will be 6 in Oct.
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
jenstarc4
Do you carefully watch them. Do you let them go in the
are sneaker waves and they kill people by swiping them out to sea very
fast and far. It happens almost every year. I saw it happen to a kid
I had been playing with at the beach when I was a kid. It was
terrifying, but he was lucky and resurfaced where someone could see him.
So, yes I watch my kids, as well as myself ALL the time at the beach.
I try to never turn my back on the ocean, but generally we relax and
have fun and try not to worry too much about it.
> surf? I want to keep holding his hand. I always did until today.IWell, I guess it depends on where you live. We live in OR and there
> don't know if i should let him explore but i very protective of him.
> thanks, Heather mom of Lukas who will be 6 in Oct.
are sneaker waves and they kill people by swiping them out to sea very
fast and far. It happens almost every year. I saw it happen to a kid
I had been playing with at the beach when I was a kid. It was
terrifying, but he was lucky and resurfaced where someone could see him.
So, yes I watch my kids, as well as myself ALL the time at the beach.
I try to never turn my back on the ocean, but generally we relax and
have fun and try not to worry too much about it.
Meredith
--- In [email protected], "halfshadow1" <halfshadow1@...>
wrote:
beaches - and between the two we've seen quite a range of different
conditions. Some places I'm happy lounging while Mo runs in and out of
the water, others either I or George are right there with her,
sometime both of us, one holding each hand and a life-jacket on her!
So its pretty situational - depends on the beach, the size of the kid
*and* off-shore weather conditions.
Ray's nearly six feet tall, and loves rough anything, so we split the
kids up for beach fun and enlist friends and relatives to help with
that.
---Meredith (Mo 5.5, Ray 13)
wrote:
>> How are your kidsDepends on the beach. We've been to New England and Great Lakes
> at the beach? Do you carefully watch them. Do you let them go in the
> surf?
beaches - and between the two we've seen quite a range of different
conditions. Some places I'm happy lounging while Mo runs in and out of
the water, others either I or George are right there with her,
sometime both of us, one holding each hand and a life-jacket on her!
So its pretty situational - depends on the beach, the size of the kid
*and* off-shore weather conditions.
Ray's nearly six feet tall, and loves rough anything, so we split the
kids up for beach fun and enlist friends and relatives to help with
that.
---Meredith (Mo 5.5, Ray 13)
[email protected]
In a message dated 7/4/2007 9:46:40 A.M. Eastern Daylight Time,
meredith@... writes:
Depends on the beach.
___
And the tide and wind conditions that day. Our beaches on the northeast
coast of Florida can have severe riptides. The kids are now 14 and 17 and just
like they fasten their seat belts automatically, they put on sunscreen and go
into the water near a lifeguard post. They are both excellent swimmers and
know that if they get caught in a riptide to swim parallel to the coastline.
When we first moved here, they were 4 and 7 and I did hold their hands if we
were in waves big enough to knock them over. Some of that was my confidence
level, however, because I grew up in New Mexico and playing in water for me
was usually some rain water in a ditch a few times a year.
Even now, when we all go to the beach, one of the adults is either in the
water or right at the shoreline.
When they go with friends, I do remind them about checking the conditions
and swimming near a lifeguard.
And I usually add....watch out for sharks and drink lots of water...That
usually causes laughter and a comment from my daughter like..."let's discuss
risk factors here, mom.." I recommend drinking water for most any problem that
comes up. Not ocean water, though..<g>
Gail
************************************** See what's free at http://www.aol.com
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
meredith@... writes:
Depends on the beach.
___
And the tide and wind conditions that day. Our beaches on the northeast
coast of Florida can have severe riptides. The kids are now 14 and 17 and just
like they fasten their seat belts automatically, they put on sunscreen and go
into the water near a lifeguard post. They are both excellent swimmers and
know that if they get caught in a riptide to swim parallel to the coastline.
When we first moved here, they were 4 and 7 and I did hold their hands if we
were in waves big enough to knock them over. Some of that was my confidence
level, however, because I grew up in New Mexico and playing in water for me
was usually some rain water in a ditch a few times a year.
Even now, when we all go to the beach, one of the adults is either in the
water or right at the shoreline.
When they go with friends, I do remind them about checking the conditions
and swimming near a lifeguard.
And I usually add....watch out for sharks and drink lots of water...That
usually causes laughter and a comment from my daughter like..."let's discuss
risk factors here, mom.." I recommend drinking water for most any problem that
comes up. Not ocean water, though..<g>
Gail
************************************** See what's free at http://www.aol.com
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
Sandra Dodd
-=-They are both excellent swimmers and
know that if they get caught in a riptide to swim parallel to the
coastline. -=-
Will you explain these conditions to Holly and Marty if such a thing
is necessary? Their idea of water play is rain water in a gutter a
few times a year, or those huge expanses of water: swimming pools in
people's back yards. Those things are HUGE! You could float a
inflatable ring in them.
Sharp shells and broken glass scare me, and beach tar grossed me out.
Holly brought a shell back from Rhode Island, that she found
herself. She's going to give it to a friend's mom for an ashtray.
This is quite exotic for New Mexico.
Sandra
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
know that if they get caught in a riptide to swim parallel to the
coastline. -=-
Will you explain these conditions to Holly and Marty if such a thing
is necessary? Their idea of water play is rain water in a gutter a
few times a year, or those huge expanses of water: swimming pools in
people's back yards. Those things are HUGE! You could float a
inflatable ring in them.
Sharp shells and broken glass scare me, and beach tar grossed me out.
Holly brought a shell back from Rhode Island, that she found
herself. She's going to give it to a friend's mom for an ashtray.
This is quite exotic for New Mexico.
Sandra
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
tracy
Hi~ It does depend where you live. We live near Charleston, SC and I
lived on Hilton Head Islalnd since I was 15 years old. This part of the
Atlantic Ocean is really safe off the coast of SC and I don't worry
much about my kids and the water. Rip tides are rear event and the
local authorities post signs about it. In that case my kids would not
want to go out due to their own fears. My son pretty much hates the
beach...whole other story :-) If there is a hurricane and the beach
is "closed" you will find my hubby out surfing...he is a bit wacked <g>!
So, not knowing where you live and what your coast is like it's
challenging to give "advice". I always try to check my fears, examine
them, question them and pass valid information on to my kids. I would
always follow my gut...if it feels unsafe...be careful. Also the same
goes for my children...I would ask them what they think, how they feel
about it because I want them to listen to their guts also. Take care
and Happy 4th! Tracy
-- In [email protected], "halfshadow1" <halfshadow1@...>
wrote:
lived on Hilton Head Islalnd since I was 15 years old. This part of the
Atlantic Ocean is really safe off the coast of SC and I don't worry
much about my kids and the water. Rip tides are rear event and the
local authorities post signs about it. In that case my kids would not
want to go out due to their own fears. My son pretty much hates the
beach...whole other story :-) If there is a hurricane and the beach
is "closed" you will find my hubby out surfing...he is a bit wacked <g>!
So, not knowing where you live and what your coast is like it's
challenging to give "advice". I always try to check my fears, examine
them, question them and pass valid information on to my kids. I would
always follow my gut...if it feels unsafe...be careful. Also the same
goes for my children...I would ask them what they think, how they feel
about it because I want them to listen to their guts also. Take care
and Happy 4th! Tracy
-- In [email protected], "halfshadow1" <halfshadow1@...>
wrote:
>
> Hey all, We went to the beach today,the water was rough and for the
> first time i didn't hold my son's hand while walking near the water.He
> was walking in the surf and damn it, he got knocked down.
> I saw it happen,i was right there and went to grab him...it was that
> darn slow motion type thing,ya know? I got him up and he was okay but
> i have always had this fear of him getting knocked down and dragged
> out and under. Scary for me. If there are no rip tides can it happen?
> Will he be pushed to shore if he falls and be okay? How are your kids
> at the beach? Do you carefully watch them. Do you let them go in the
> surf? I want to keep holding his hand. I always did until today.I
> don't know if i should let him explore but i very protective of him.
> thanks, Heather mom of Lukas who will be 6 in Oct.
>
halfshadow1
The reason i always held his hand was because of the strong pulls,
severe rip tides and the shelfs...walk 3 feet out and there's a big
drop off! Over my head. I've had a hard time coming out of the water a
few times. I am on the space coast of Florida, we went to Playalinda
beach. I grew up on long island and was always in the water, when it
was 95 degrees out the water would be 50degrees and my lips would turn
blue..but i stayed in and loved it! We had a big "walk out" where you
could start from the surf and walk and walk and the water would
gradually get deeper..very slowly. My mother would encourage to swim
way out over my head and she'd want to keep going! We had life guards
that would actually blow their wistles if you went to far! I learned
to get knocked down and the water would roll me while i was under and
i just hung on until i could surface,lol...we had big waves i learned
to dive in when they were coming at me.--- In
[email protected], "tracy" <tracyliebmann@...> wrote:
severe rip tides and the shelfs...walk 3 feet out and there's a big
drop off! Over my head. I've had a hard time coming out of the water a
few times. I am on the space coast of Florida, we went to Playalinda
beach. I grew up on long island and was always in the water, when it
was 95 degrees out the water would be 50degrees and my lips would turn
blue..but i stayed in and loved it! We had a big "walk out" where you
could start from the surf and walk and walk and the water would
gradually get deeper..very slowly. My mother would encourage to swim
way out over my head and she'd want to keep going! We had life guards
that would actually blow their wistles if you went to far! I learned
to get knocked down and the water would roll me while i was under and
i just hung on until i could surface,lol...we had big waves i learned
to dive in when they were coming at me.--- In
[email protected], "tracy" <tracyliebmann@...> wrote:
>
> Hi~ It does depend where you live. We live near Charleston, SC and I
> lived on Hilton Head Islalnd since I was 15 years old. This part of the
> Atlantic Ocean is really safe off the coast of SC and I don't worry
> much about my kids and the water. Rip tides are rear event and the
> local authorities post signs about it. In that case my kids would not
> want to go out due to their own fears. My son pretty much hates the
> beach...whole other story :-) If there is a hurricane and the beach
> is "closed" you will find my hubby out surfing...he is a bit wacked <g>!
> So, not knowing where you live and what your coast is like it's
> challenging to give "advice". I always try to check my fears, examine
> them, question them and pass valid information on to my kids. I would
> always follow my gut...if it feels unsafe...be careful. Also the same
> goes for my children...I would ask them what they think, how they feel
> about it because I want them to listen to their guts also. Take care
> and Happy 4th! Tracy
>
>
>
>
> -- In [email protected], "halfshadow1" <halfshadow1@>
> wrote:
> >
> > Hey all, We went to the beach today,the water was rough and for the
> > first time i didn't hold my son's hand while walking near the water.He
> > was walking in the surf and damn it, he got knocked down.
> > I saw it happen,i was right there and went to grab him...it was that
> > darn slow motion type thing,ya know? I got him up and he was okay but
> > i have always had this fear of him getting knocked down and dragged
> > out and under. Scary for me. If there are no rip tides can it happen?
> > Will he be pushed to shore if he falls and be okay? How are your kids
> > at the beach? Do you carefully watch them. Do you let them go in the
> > surf? I want to keep holding his hand. I always did until today.I
> > don't know if i should let him explore but i very protective of him.
> > thanks, Heather mom of Lukas who will be 6 in Oct.
> >
>