I just found out about Infant Swimming Resource.  I watched this video and my chest tightened as my eyes welled up with tears.  The 11 month old baby in the video is an ISR student, so he has the skills to survive if he ever finds himself in an unfortunate situation, like the one in the video.  While I watched, I thought about my own 10 month old.  I pictured her falling into a pool or lake.  She wouldn’t have the skills to be able to survive.  That thought is extremely hard for me to handle.  I’m planning to enroll her in Infant Swimming Resource lessons at a local facility.

I recently had an eye-opening conversation with Dr. Harvey Barnett, founder of Infant Swimming Resource.  He founded the program in 1966 when he was 18 years old and ever since, along with his team of professional ISR swim instructors, has been teaching infants from 6 months to children up to 6 years old, the skill of surviving in the water.

Have a listen to our conversation.  You will learn some excellent tips to help you while you’re at the beach, lake or pool.

Conversation with Dr. Harvey Barnett – Infant Swimming Resource

These 7 Water Safety Tips have been provided by Infant Swimming Resource:

7 Water Safety Tips:

CEO (Constant Eyes-On) Supervision – Never turn your back on your child around water. It takes just seconds for him/her to be in serious trouble. Assign supervision responsibilities so there are never questions about which adult is responsible for watching the child.

Safeguard Your Pool – Build layers of defense around the pool. Permanent four-sided fencing that encloses the entire pool area should be four to six feet high and equipped with self-closing, self-latching gates.

Put Toys Away – Remove all toys from the pool when they are not in use. These colorful objects can be very attractive to little eyes. This also includes furniture and other objects in the pool area that children might use to climb over the fence.

Eliminate Distractions – The leading cause of distractions around the pool is an adult leaving to answer the phone, attend to something inside the home or helping someone else in or around the water. If you must leave, take the child/children with you.

Teach Water Safety – Learn and enforce all the water rules and, above all, teach by your example — never swim alone, obey lifeguard warnings, refrain from running around pool decks, follow ‘no diving’ signs, and always wear a life jacket when boating, fishing or playing in or near deep or fast-moving water.

Flotation Device Dangers – Flotation devices such as armbands, floatation rings and inflatable toys give parents and children a false sense of security. These devices can shift suddenly, deflate or slip from underneath, leaving a child in a very dangerous situation.

Self-Rescue Swimming Lessons – Do your research in selecting an effective swimming program. Choose a program that will teach your child the skills to survive in the water. Self-Rescue skills are vital for infants and young children if they were to end up in the water alone. Instructors should have current CPR and first aid certification. Confirm that the instructor is certified to teach survival swimming skills.

Find a certified ISR Instructor in your area (the Instructor Locator is located on the left-hand side of the site).

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So, as if someone could hear my thoughts, I was introduced to a company that can help ease my worries and potentially stop a parent’s worst nightmare from happening.  I’m thrilled to tell you all about SecuraTrac.

It’s almost summer and if you have children, chances are you’re planning on being outside. You probably have vacations booked, outings to amusement parks, camping trips and BBQ’s to attend.  If you long for peace of mind, like I do, then listen up.  SecuraTrac is a company that has an interest in bringing families closer together.  Their product, the SecuraPal, is a GPS tracking device that goes with your child, pet or any loved one (even your luggage), so you can track their location via text messages and a secure website.

Have a listen to my conversation with Chris Holbert, SecuraTrac’s founder, so you can learn first-hand about this innovative product:

Discussion about SecuraTrac with Chris Holbert

We’re going to put the SecuraTrac system to use on a very special upcoming trip.  I can’t wait to give you the play by play!

Right now, SecuraTrac is running a Mother’s Day special (offer good until May 10, 2010).  You can purchase the SecuraPal unit for $99 with 12 mos. of service ($24.99/mo).  You can set up unlimited “fences” and contacts (who would receive the SOS and location alerts).  You can’t really beat the price for this kind of peace of mind.  Hopefully you listened to our conversation, so you have an idea of all of the different ways you can put this product to valuable use.

Look forward to more posts about SecuraTrac because at this point, I think it’s the bees knees and I’m out to prove it.

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So, the specifics of the program were to contact local libraries, daycares, family and friends and GIVE them LeapFrog Tag and Tag Junior sets.  If you don’t know what these awesome products are, go check them out.

Anyway, just recently, I got out and made some deliveries in my area.  My first stop was to a branch of my local library.

The manager of the branch was so thankful.  They are going to use the LeapFrog Tags that were donated for giveaways that are held at the library.

My next stop was to my daughter’s daycare center/preschool.  They were just thrilled with the gift!  They are going to use the LeapFrog Tag and Tag Juniors that were donated in the classrooms.

I have also given a couple of sets of the Tags and Tag Juniors. to my mother-in-law to bring to her school.  She works with special needs students and I thought they would be a great learning tool for the kids.  I have also gifted some sets to my family and friends who have children.

It felt so good to introduce such a fantastic product to people and places I care about.

I highly recommend you checking out LeapFrog Tag and Tag Junior.  They are excellent products!  We love them and use them in our home.  These should be on everyone’s Christmas lists this year!

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As I reach the halfway point in my pregnancy, I have really started thinking about the new little life we’re bringing into the world.  I have had just over 3 years experience now as a parent and I have a pretty good idea of what needs to be done to ensure my kids grow up strong and healthy.  We’re not full of super healthy habits but that’s something that will always be a work-in-progress and that’s ok.

So, today I clicked over to Gerber’s Start Healthy, Stay Healthy Campaign.  I thought, now is as good a time as any to make a pledge to myself and my girls to take care of each of us.  Starting with me.  I may be pregnant but it’s not too late for me to get into an exercise routine.  This is also a good age for my 3 year old to take an interest in what I’m doing.  She can join right in with me.  We also do our best to make sure she is getting the nutrition that she needs to keep her healthy.  It’s amazing how quickly these kids grow!  Then, there is our newest family member, a little girl yet to see the world.  It will be our responsibility to make sure she is getting everything she needs until she can start making choices of her own.

I created a pledge today for my two girls and myself.  I know that I want to be around for a long time.  I want to see them grow up and I want to grow old with my husband.  It’s our duty to take care of ourselves so we can make that pledge a reality.  You can create a pledge too.  It’s fun and sometimes just seeing it in pictures and words makes it easier to put into action.

I may be a total pro at this pregnancy and mom thing now (he he he) but I still like to stay current on the newest trends in the parenting and baby world.  So, I’ll be spending a lot of time over at Gerber’s Start Healthy, Stay Healthy Resource Center.  I still have plenty of questions about nursing and nutrition for my kids and I have trusted Gerber for as long as I can remember.

To celebrate this important campaign reminding us to take care of ourselves and our families, we’re giving away two Gerber diaper bag backpacks filled with a recipe tin and a teddy bear.  This giveaway is only open to US residents.

You can enter to win by leaving a comment on this post with your pledge.  Check out some of the 14,750 plus pledges that have already been made over at the Start Healthy, Stay Healthy website for ideas.  If you create a pledge, let us know in your entry comment and we’ll give you an extra entry.  We’ll choose a winner at random on Wednesday, March 5th.  The winner will be notified via email (check your spam!) and announced on this post.

While you’re taking action on your pledge and waiting to hear if you’re one of our two winners, check out the Start Healthy, Stay Healthy YouTube Channel for some cute and inspirational videos.

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This newsletter was sent to me from Protect.org

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What is Nie Nie Day?  Click HERE to read all about it.

Head over to DesignMom.com and get spending for a good cause OR host your own Nie Nie Day auction on your blog and LIST IT with Gabrielle.

Gosh, the blogosphere is full of good peeps.

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