No electronics at the pool!

by

 

For us American-types it’s memorial day. For many of us it’s nearing summertime. I had no plans to rereun this post until a friend shared a near-miss with her daughter yesterday. She said to me pretty much what I share below regarding how THANKFUL she was she never, ever, ever uses her smartphone near a pool.

Note how this photo was NOT taken at the pool.

 

First, HAPPY MEMORIAL DAY to us American types.

Id imagine, even more than weekends, today is the day where blog posts go to wither & die.

The thing is, more than any other day, Id like to imagine my post today is *highly* applicable to today.

(does that even make any sense? is it like “allow myself to introduce myself” phrasing? sadly it all makes sense to me.)

I have a story to share.

A fleeting, frightening moment which made this highly plugged-in Mama grateful for the fact she UNPLUGS when the child arrives home.

It was a lovely, scorching HOT afternoon in the ATX & friend invited us over to swim.

I eagerly accepted. Part for the water-play & a lot for the friendship-time.

Life is too, too busy & Id not seen my friend in ages.

Life is too, too busy and, despite my best laid plans, the Tornado hadn’t been in a pool in ages.

I clearly remember plopping my smart phone on the passenger seat after I parked (ahhh the safety of the suburbs. some days I miss ye!).

I recall thinking: I dont need this by my side since the Tornado is here.

(Im crazy obsessed with the phone when she’s at school. It’s always with me. Im convinced the moment it’s NOT/the battery dies the school will immediately need to reach me STAT.)

Off we went.

Sunscreen slathered. Kids a’frolicking.  And I happily basked in the grown-up talk-time I craved.

My friend and I were chatting away when out of the corner of my eye I saw the Tornado begin to struggle.

She panicked, and even though there was a ‘noodle’ within her reach, she slid under gulping water as she went.

Within seconds I leaped fully clothed into the pool & dragged her to the side. Thankfully, outside of being terrified, she was entirely ok.

After a few hugs and a popsicle she returned to the water (& hasnt mentioned the experience again).

 Ive thought about it over and over and OVER since the day it happened.

More than anything I keep returning to the fact I left my smart-phone in the car and how thankful I am I did.

When I have my phone with me Im always slightly distracted.

When I have my phone with me it’s always buzzing, vibrating, ringing or lighting up and, no matter how PRESENT I strive to be, I tend to check it.

I like to think I check *quickly* but we all know how easily it is to get sucked into social media distractions.

Again and again and AGAIN Ive thought about how, had I been focusing on the smart phone, I might have missed the Tornado going under water.

Again and again and AGAIN Im grateful Ive made it a policy NEVER to bring my smart-phone to the pool.

I know I could miss a call. I know I could miss a text. Im certain Im missing emails, tweets, DMs & status updates.

Ive made it a policy to NEVER bring my smart-phone to the pool.

Join me?

I promise not to mind if you email, text, call, DM, tweet or status update another time.

PINKY SWEAR.

POSTS BY EMAIL

Never miss a post. Enter your email to get my latest posts delivered to your inbox.

Comments

  1. Thank you so much for this important reminder. I have specifically NOT downloaded games on my smart phone because I’m worried about being “tuned out” around my children, both for safety and for the sake of spending quality time together. I do sometimes, though, check notifications, and I find I can EASILY get “lost” in my phone, when I should be paying attention to my kids. My girls (twins) are only two, so they don’t swim alone in the pool yet, but now I know I will never, EVER, use my phone while they are around water. Thanks again!

  2. Thanks a million for sharing this caution-providing post with us. Yes, we should remain more careful while using our smart phones near swimming poles or any other sensitive place like this especially in the company of our beloved kids. Godspeed 🙂

    • Hi,
      Can you please guide me about not showing my name here in your comments’ panel … do I look like a spammer?? Please reply me at my email address in case you are not going to publish these comments here. I just want to know why I am being neglected to get a back-link using 100% white hat technique…!!! Your response will be highly appreciable and will help me rectify my errors if any! Godspeed 🙂

  3. What a scary experience!! I always leave my phone in the house when we go swimming at my parent’s house. It is really easy to get sucked into social media land and it only takes a second for something bad to happen. It’s just not worth it.

  4. Crazy how things can happen in the blink of an eye – another reminder for us to live in the MOMENT!

  5. Yes, and yes, and yes again. Even with the lifeguard there, when my kids were little, i watched like a hawk when they were at the pool. Now they are teens and don’t want me around, but it’s the same when i’m taking care of young nephew. It only takes a second for a child, or adult or teen for that matter, to silently slip into distress.

  8. so true friend. Safety first. I was just reminded of this yesterday when i watched my nieces, only to look down for a second.. one second.. BAM.. Fall.

  9. So important – we get so absorbed in our phones, even when we think we’re not. I don’t yet have little ones to look over, but I do always make an effort when in the company of others, to keep my phone away, unless there’s something specific I’m waiting for or checking on. As for the pool, I bring it with me (don’t want it taken!) but keep it in my bag with the sound on high enough so if someone’s trying to reach me, I’ll hear it, but I do not need to check it for any texts, tweets, etc. I prefer good company and a good book while poolside 🙂

  11. Yiks! So, so, so scary! We have season water park passes and since I’m always in the water with the Little Ladies, my phone is always sidelined. Regardless of who might be trying to get a hold of me, they’re not near as important as my Ladies.
    Thank goodness your Tornado was alright. That’s every parent’s worst summertime nightmare.

  12. I shudder. I’m still getting in and staying with 2 feet of Thing 2. Helicopter mom. But it beats the alternative.

  13. Wow – close one! Sometimes it’s just that little gesture like turning left instead of right, or plugged in or out that can make all the difference in the world. Thank God it all turned out well.

  16. Great reminder to PAY attention. I have been around lots of toddlers lately and it is amazing to me how quickly they can dart away or fall down … good for you, Mama, to be watching over the darling daughter in your care!

  17. 100% agree – texts, calls, emails are nothing compared to tragedy!! Thanks for sharing this today!!!

  18. Wow, you so did the right thing here. Kids around and in the pool require constant eye contact and readiness to help in seconds. If I need to check my phone, I insure my kids are looked after by another parent. All it takes is seconds away and danger can strike. Thanks for this post, it’s such a great tip.

  19. What a great post! It is a great reminder of how important it is to be 110% attentive to our kids when we are with them… No matter what we or they are doing… especially when they are swimming or near water. I definitely needed this reminder today and must now put my phone down so I can go play with my kids while they are off from school 🙂

  20. I will do you one better….I will never have a “smart” phone period…
    only carry my flip phone on long bike rides if I get separated/stranded/for emergencies or to contact daughter if she is out of town.
    Smart phones make people dumb.

  22. A smartphone is one of many distractions that could lead to disaster. Yes, leave the phone at home AND pay attention to your child in the pool.

  23. Love this extended weekend whenever there is an opportunity. I keep my smart phone miles away, when in the pool. No crazy intention to update my FB status,”In the pool”

  26. Not sure I can make this pledge – AH HA HA HA! I get so bored at the pool… And sun tanning is just so mundane…. I gotta play with Words With Friends lol… EVEN IF we are right next to each other! 😉

  27. This is a great reminder and I would like to add another one – turn your phone on silent in the car (and put it out of sight)! I know many people are like me and the instant that phone buzzes or makes a noise our fingers are just itching to check it! It is really not worth our lives, our kids lives or the lives of the other innocent people on the road to be distracted by our phones. Whatever it is it will wait… and hey, chances are it is just a notification that someone has posted a pic of their lunch for the world to see!

  29. Oh gosh… what a scary story. My heart was pounding just reading it! Thank you for the timely reminder. Our pool just opened up today, and we’re planning to head there this week. I will definitely leave my phone in the car!

  30. One of the most important lessons to remember as summer kicks off!! There are times and places for our phones but the pool is not the place or time!! Except…I will keep my phone IN CASE of an emergency!!

  31. very timely article and a reminder to us on the importance of being careful. everyone please use your phone in the right place!

  32. Thanks for a great reminder! This is such an important thing that a person should always put in mind. I definitely agree, that having a smartphone is really a distraction to any person at all times, you cannot be focused, or you cannot think directly because of the things that you’re doing on your phone. This should be spread to a lot of people.

  33. I am lucky to be a mother who often forgets her smart phone. I am more tied to my laptop at home than my smart phone when I am out. The kids do need to pull me away from the laptop from time to time though. Glad you have fun at the pool without technology.

  34. I’m so glad you posted something about this. I needed to hear it. This morning on the way to work (my husband and I ride into town together) I pulled my phone out of my purse out of habit and started scrolling thru the latest pointless happenings on instagram when he abruptly said “can you please go ONE car ride without being on your phone?” Touche hubby, touche. It’s so true though. We get addicted without even realizing it and we miss out on valuable minutes just BEING with someone and enjoying each other’s company. I don’t know when the norm was to feel like you ALWAYS had to be up to date on every second of everyone else’s days!

  36. As you know, my daughter is in college. And I have your same habit and fear – the moment I don’t have my cell is when she’ll have an emergency. So I am obsessive about keeping it nearby when she is away. Um, which is most of the time. Now that she is home for summer, I realize how much more relaxed I am about my umbilical cell cord. Once a mom, always a mom, right Mz Lovey THaaaaang!

  37. Wow. that just gave me chills. People are so focused on the not texting and driving campaign, it is almost like we have all forgotten that there are other things that are deadly in life that phones can distract us from. I think more people need to be aware.

  39. I have to share this story with my step-son. He’s so engulfed by his phone and all the little toys (apps) it comes with you can’t even have a conversation with him. By the time he gets to his second sentence, he’s completely forgotten what he said in the first sentence. He’s completely unaware of his surroundings when he has his phone with him and this story is a cold reminder that that’s got to change. Thank you Miz!

  40. Smart Phones can be a great diversion as long as it doesn’t distract you away from other great things going on. With all the problems involved I sometimes wonder if they are a curse or blessing.

Trackbacks

Pin It on Pinterest

Share This