I just want to make sure I have it all covered and that I'm not forgetting anything.

I figure there is no way I could get DD to follow the rules 100%. She loves to swim and I knew the pool was too great a temptation. I simply locked all the doors to the backyard so she couldn't get out there unless I knew she was going. When she went outdoors to play, I supervised her closely. Our pool back then was above ground specifically so I could pull out the exterior ladder to prevent her from going into the pool unless I gave permission. Even when she wasn't intending to swim, I watched her like a hawk. If she ever went missing, the pool was the first place I checked for her no matter the time of day or night. Even with all my precautions she recently revealed that she would try to go swimming without permission sometimes - ugh!!!

She's taken lessons - check
Pool has a cover - check
I take my wireless phone with me everytime we go outside - check
Ladder is pulled - check

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"Poor people work for their money. Rich people make their money work for them."

I'd say keep on the lessons. All "sports" for my kiddos are optional EXCEPT for swimming. It is lifesaving and non-negotiable. My son is 3 1/2 and loves swim class (he cried the first couple of classes) he is getting the hang of it and is doing great. He will be in swimming until I know he can get out of a body of water if he fell in. Even then I'll still watch him like a hawk! Good luck!!

My son is to young to really understand the dangers of water, I never leave him alone near water, and explain what hot and cold means. Ill make sure he takes swimming lessons when he is older also.

I don't think I can get it through to my little on either. We don't have a pool(and I never intend to get one), not even a little kiddie pool. We live in a park, and I take her to that pool, and never leave her.
I do plan on taking her to a water safety class at the Y.

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"It is no use walking anywhere to preach unless our walking is our preaching."

-- St. Francis of Assisi

Swim lessons is the way to go. I was swimming on a team when I was 3. My boys I self taught in my MILs pool. We don't have a pool at our house. I was at a pool birthday party last year and a 3 year old was found on the bottom of the pool and I preformed CPR and brought this lifeless child back to life before paramedics arrived. I am a pediatric RN and another mom, friend of mine, took care of my 2 boys. What an experience I hope I have to Never do again. I was recognized by the city and it was a big ordeal. I almost didn't go to this party because it was a pool party and I was afraid that one of my boys would get out of my sight. My 5 year old can swim and I am working on my 4 year old with survival skills. I never go to a pool without 2 adults: 1 for each child.

Sorry to vent!

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Elaine Robert
Matthew
Andrew

My daughter is 20 months and is taking the Infant Swimming Resource course at our local Y. The course is for teaching aquatic survival. We have an inground pool and we have a baby fence.