Drowning Prevention. Don't think it can't happen to you.

Hi Parents!

It's that time of year again...Summer Safety Week at La Petite Baleen. This is a very important time for all of us to brush up on our safety reminders for the upcoming summer season. For a full list of summer safety reminders read our entry from last year:

http://whalewisdom.blogspot.com/2012/05/summer-safety-part-1.html

http://whalewisdom.blogspot.com/2012/05/summer-safety-part-2.html--http://whalewisdom.blogspot.com/2012/05/summer-safety-part-2.html 

For our stance on arm floaties/water wings click here:

http://whalewisdom.blogspot.com/2013/04/just-say-noto-arm-floaties.html

For our opinion on "Drown Proofing" your child or "ISR" please click here:

http://whalewisdom.blogspot.com/2013/06/no-such-thing-as-drown-proof.html

When planning your vacations this summer, please consider that drowning is the NUMBER ONE cause of accidental death in children ages 5 & under. LAYERS OF PROTECTION are required to help prevent drowning. We follow the Safer 3 Foundation principles:

http://www.swimforlife.org/programs-services/safer3.html

If you're considering renting a house with an un-gated or un-netted pool please reconsider. Relying on "closed doors" and "alarms" are not realistic methods of drowning prevention. Being around a home pool without safety barriers is like putting your child in a car without a seatbelt or car seat, only their risk of death by drowning is higher than it is in a car accident.

Safe splashing,

La Petite Baleen

Picking and Choosing

Picking and Choosing

Today’s family is given a plethora of choices when it comes to extra curricular activities. When I was young, you were considered a lucky kid if you got to do one, let alone two after school activities. These days both parents and kids seem to be inundated with options ranging from “Yoga-Art-Language-Immersion” class to AYSO soccer. Parents lose sleep at night agonizing over which activities will give their child a better chance at getting a college scholarship or an “edge” in the future job market.

I recently had a poolside conversation with a parent of a 4 and 6 year old who was having tremendous ‘mommy guilt’ over the fact that her children haven’t learned a second language yet: “How will that look on college and job applications!?!” This mom already has her children in ballet, swimming, piano, gymnastics and soccer.

I repeat: Her children are ages 4 and 6.

I proceeded to talk her through her decision making and prioritize her children’s activities. Here’s what we considered:

-  How important is the activity to the overall health and well being of your child?

-  For example, swimming is a life saving sport. If your child doesn’t learn to swim, they could literally die. Drowning is the #1 cause of accidental death in children ages 5 and under in the US.

-  Swimming is also a sport that human’s can do at any age/stage of their life. I swam as a newborn, in high school and college, through my pregnancies and plan to swim until i die! Both typical and special needs children can all swim...it’s an inclusive activity that lasts a lifetime

-  College scholarships are available for swimming, water polo and synchronized swimming, and it is an Olympic sport

-  While language can open up many doors for education and career paths, only in rare cases can it save your child’s life :)

-  How big of a commitment is the activity?

-  Is practice 3-5 times/week for 6 and unders? Too much!

-  Once a week programs (like swim lessons) minimize burnout and allow for other activities or “down time” at home (you know...like, playing kick the can outside after school...)

-  How much strain do all of these commitments put on the parent’s weekly routine?

-  How much of an investment is the activity?

-  Tuition doesn’t always tell the whole story. There are always hidden costs like uniforms, transportation, coaches gifts, snack, fundraisers, etc.

-  What perks do you get for your money? Are there any “extras” like family swim or discounts like “Splash n Dash” lessons?

-  What are some free activities in your community? Playgrounds, libraries, beaches, playing in your backyard...

-  Consider doing a basic cost analyses and projection of each chosen activity up until your child graduates high school. Then add in college tuition in case they don’t get that scholarship. Yeah...more than you thought.

-  Is my child made for the sport?

-  Is your child already off the charts in height? Then maybe don’t invest too much time and money in gymnastics. Rec team is great, but competitive team might not be realistic down the road.

-  Does your child struggle with music and language but excel at building legos and math? Learning a foreign language in our regular education system will be good enough for him...like it was for many of us parents. Continue to work on weaknesses, but focus your investments in natural talents and interests.

This brought our conversation to another point of contention: “But my 6 year old loves gymnastics...she doesn’t mind going 3 days a week”. It’s fine that she loves gymnastics, but plenty of elite athletes burnout from sports that they used to love. As parents, it’s our role to protect our children from burnout and set boundaries with activities right from the start.

When choosing what extracurricular activities are best for your child, be sure to look at the big picture, hidden costs and overall practicality. rest assured that you cannot do it all, so choose one or two and don’t forget to schedule in that much needed “down time”.

From a swim teacher standpoint, swimming is a must-do activity because of the life-long benefits of swimming. From a mom standpoint, swimming is a must-do activity because it’s a life saving skill (...and provides plenty of college scholarship opportunities).

Choose wisely parents, but most importantly...pace yourselves. Time and financial commitments to too many extracurricular activities can leave both parents and kids burned out, stressed out and overwhelmed.

Spring Has Sprung, Let's Get Wet!

It's spring time.  We are enjoying this beautiful weather.  It's time to start thinking about summer and swimming!  Time to sign up for lessons: www.swimlpb.com

If your kids are not in lessons, get them in NOW.  Summer is full of swimming and kids need to gear up.  Being out of the water for a time can cause them to regress.  They need to get their "sea legs" back in a sense.

When I teach, I can tell the kids who have had a break and they get back in the pool with me.  They might be nervous but their body also is stiff and jerky.  It takes a few weeks to go with the flow and become fluid again.

A nervous swimmer will also tend to breathe with their nose.  In swimming we want to breathe with our mouths.  At LPB we might use a nose "hugger" to help keep water out of their noses.  Sometimes while diving down to get rings or back swims might be a popular time for water to go up the nose.

How about that summer haircut.  I have many boys in my swim classes that have somewhat long hair.  When they get wet however, the hair gets longer and covers their goggles and they can't see.  I often have boys with long hair in my classes tie their hair up in a pony tail, unicorn style.  Girls also need to have their hair and bangs tied back.  It's helpful for parents to come prepared for swim class because we have 30 minutes to work hard and I don't want to waste time doing hair.

We sell goggles, fins and inner tubes at LPB.  These are great to have for summer swimming and vacations.  They also make great Easter basket stuffings!

The Contrarian

The Contrarian

Well, we’ve hit the mark.  The CONTRARY age.  Man it drives me nuts.  But it’s a sign of development and understanding self.  I say yes, he says no.  I say no, he says yes.  I say up, he says down.  I say stop, he says go.  Just for the sake of battling, testing every limit or suggestion. They're like a super hero in the battle of wills.  “I’m here and ready to challenge you!”  Their little brains are thinking.  

Just this week my sister was telling one of her swim moms about what we call an “ice cream fit”.  One of her swimmers, we’ll call her Jill, was swimming in toddler class with mommy.  She’s not quite 2.  She saw a pink ball across the pool that she wanted yet was unable to use vocabulary to get it.  So she squirmed, she shrieked, she bucked back and forth in her mom’s arms.  Finally, my sister recognized the ball was what she wanted and got it for her.  By this time Jill is frustrated at these adults.  She receives the ball but it’s not exactly doing for her what she thought, it’s not as exciting as she thought.  So since she was already half way into a fit, she proceeded to up it up a notch and take it to full on crying and screaming.  No, she doesn’t want the ball now.  No, she doesn’t want the tube, toy, fins, goggles, you name it!  Mom is flustered.  Where and what is happening to my sweet toddler?  Well mom, welcome to the land of “stuck”.  Stuck in wanting yet not wanting.  Stuck in the yes when I meant no.  Ugh.  Jill’s mom asks my sister if she should take her out of the pool so she doesn’t disrupt other swimmers.  My sister just replies, “This is an ice cream fit”.  

“Jill, do you want a toy?” 

“No!”

“Jill, do you want a floaty?”

“No!”

“Jill, do you want to get out?”

“No!”

“Jill, do you want to stay in?”

“No”

“Jill, do you want ice cream?”

“No!”

And so it goes.  She has cut off her nose despite her face. It doesn’t matter what you offer.  The answer is no.  She is “Stuck”.

What can I do with my toddler or preschooler who is so contrary?  Well, here are some tips:

1.Try not to ask “yes/no” questions.  I tell my swim parents this one all the time.  You’re setting yourself up, and them, for failure.

2. Choose battles carefully.  And when you do.  Make sure you win them!  I’m talking big ones.  Usually about safety or something worth it to you.  

3. Offer choices when you can.  But they need to know if they don’t make a decision then you will make it for them.  Even choices can lead to a control issue.  

4.  No, kids don’t need to be in control.  YOU, the parent are in control.  Not children.  Have fun with them, choices are given when appropriate.  But toddlers and preschoolers do not have the cognitive reasoning to make day to day decisions.  That includes:  What to eat (candy!), when to sleep (never!), what to wear (shorts in 20 degree weather).  Freedom comes as they get older and show maturity.

5.  Give grace.  Both to yourself and them.  Parents can get just as stuck as their kids.  Sometimes they really are having a bad day.  Sometimes it’s tax season and parents are having a bad day.  There’s room for forgiving, moving on and understanding they really do want the ice cream.  

Just today, my 3 year old and I have been stuck in contrarianism.  When he went to get his little snack in a cup, he realized there were no more cheese-its left.  He was stuck with wheat thins while everyone of his siblings had cheese-its.  Before I could get his siblings to share with him, he launches his snack of wheat thins on the ground, crying.  Seeing his snack all over the place, broken and full of dirt.  He proceeds to really lose it and now we are in full throttle hysteria.  

Later, as we are getting out of the car, he insists that “only Mommy” can unbuckle him (control).  Fine. I stand and wait for him to climb out of the car.  Takes 4 minutes,37 seconds.  (yes I timed it. This is more control.)  As he’s getting out he hands me his blanky since it can’t come inside with us.  I put it on his car seat.  “No, not that one, put it in the back!”  I can hear the high pitched need to control my every decision.  Luckily I am no softy.  Nope.  It’s going right where I put it.  So now he refuses to walk inside.  I leave him there.  Next to the car.  In the parking lot.  I walk away, about 20 feet, he screams, cries and comes running to me.  Phew.  I won this one.  But now we get to the stair case to walk inside.  Refuses to walk down by himself.  Here. We. Go. Again.  Every 20 feet a battle.  Every thought, we are “stuck”.  

 I can appreciate his efforts.  Yes it’s exhausting.  But my job as mom is to not lose patience but to calmly guide my children.  I love the tenacity (that will go far in life), I love teaching him he can’t always get what he wants, I love teaching him he’ll get more in life by cooperation and kindness, I love teaching him that I am going to love him no matter how big the fit, scream or tears.  I just love him!

Nutrition, Lita Style

Irene Madrid (Lita)

Co-Owner of LPB

Kids + Whole Foods = Healthy Life

Kids + Sugary Foods = Toxic Life

When I started  a 4 month research project on longevity for my “Ga-Ga Sisterhood” grandmother group, I thought I was pretty good in the nutrition department....but I was wrong.

While I always ate plenty of fruits and vegetables, I also liked to pound down a whole box of vanilla wafers, some candy and perhaps another treat if my grandchildren were around---on a daily basis.

However, as I began reading what sugar, especially fructose, does to each and every cell in our precious bodies, I could visualize the reality of the damage in a  whole new way.

Here is what I learned:

1. Fructose and other corn derivatives cannot be metabolized by your body.  It’s the wrong fuel.  Think what would happen if you put diesel in your minivan?
2. The appestat center of your brain registers the need for more nutrients when you consume empty calories, so you quickly become hungry again.  This is a big reason for weight gain.  Leave packaged foods alone.
3. Sugar stresses our cells.  Free radicals form from a process called “oxidation stress”.  The wear, the tear, and constant repair of the cells due to sugar cause them to dividing and die much too quickly.  Early aging is a direct result of oxidative stress.
4. Sugar is addictive.  The same area of the brain lights up for cocaine, heroine...and sugar.
5. Sugar promotes cancer, a lower immune system, diabetes and dental disease.  Dental disease is linked to cardiovascular disease.
6. Exercise makes a big difference in cell rejuvenation, countering aging, and helping with strong immunity and metabolism.  Exercise promotes a healthy appetite so it is a good idea to present whole foods as a snack.

It is difficult to be a “Food Warrior”, learn how to read labels and combat T.V. commercials.  It is even more difficult with picky eaters in the house.

I just listened to Sirius “Doc Talk” with two NYU pediatricians.  They suggest if a child doesn’t want to eat his dinner, take the plate away.  Have them remain for family conversation.  Keep their plate of food until bedtime and, DO NOT give them any other foods.

Picky eaters will skip meals and then beg for a snack an hour later.  Offer the last saved meal and keep a loving voice, say the NYU pediatricians (one of whom was also a nutritionist).

It is simple: you buy the food so keep your home filled with fresh whole foods.  Children will grow to love the taste of real food and be much healthier.

Then when special celebrations come around, a treat will truly be a treat and not a staple in your healthy home.

"The Distracted Mind" by Irene Madrid

From LPB co-founder Irene Madrid.  Grandmother, lifetime credentialed teacher, child lover and studier:

Developing attention, focus and questioning the concept of multi-tasking has recently been in the news along with how electronics affect the wiring of our brains.

In the DVD "The Distracted Mind," with neuroscientist Dr. Adam Gazzaley, the myth of multitasking comes to fact in his lab at UCSF.

While our brain enjoys the challenge of doing several things at once, brain scans reveal the prefrontal cortex (the discerning and decision making areas of the brain) shows that activity jumps around from one part of the brain to another, as attention shifts.

One statistic showed that when we are driving and using a hands free phone, it places us in four times the risk of an accident.

Utilizing this information for best learning outcomes in children, we know focusing on one piece of information at a time is optimal.

There is a lot we can do to enhance our children's learning and attention span.  If a task is very important, says Dr. Gazzaley, then TV, the iPhone or other distraction brings poor results.  If the activities are fun and don't need accuracy, it can be consciously chosen in a recreational way.

In his lab, Dr. Gazzaley has measured the amount of undeveloped prefrontal cortex from children ages 5 to 20.  The more green areas that showed up, the less able the person was to make good decisions.  Even 20 year olds have pockets of green!  Of course, that is why asking a child their opinion for doing chores, learning to swim or what they wish to eat for dinner makes very little sense.

As children grow, a good way to help decision making is to give limited choices in small things.  When children show they can handle making good decisions, choices can also grow.

More concerns in neuroscience today are the issues of possible addiction to electronics.  Electronics are taking the place of social interaction and experts say studies indicate less empathy development with lots of electronic use.

In the movie "Avatar," they greet each other with, "I see you."  We now know when children beg caregivers to, "Watch me!", this helps children to enhance their self identification.  There is hard wiring from the brain to the eyes which responds positively to being seen.

Dr. Gazzaley relates the story of two third grade girls who went to opposite sides of the playground so they could text each other.  Since 97% of our communication comes from body language and voices, this is how we socialize and communicate best.

Dr. Gazzaley interviewed high school students who admit that when they cannot use their electronics, they become filled with anxiety.  The teens also admitted when they have boundaries for electronics, they have better scholastic and social outcomes.

More studies need to be done and more scientists are interested in this broad field.  In the meantime, we can use this information for our families.

Allergies and swimming. Doctor recommended.

I have asked my girlfriend Sharon to write this months blog post.  Her son is highly allergic to nuts.
I used to have a bad attitude about people with allergies and thought, "tough luck for them!"  However, as I became educated about the risks these people live with every day, not by choice, my perspective and understanding changed.  Simply being in a room with a bowl full of almonds would require Sharon to go home
and shower before picking her son up from school.  I was shocked but it also opened my eyes to the trouble and pain you have to go through to keep your kids safe.

Recently a 13 year old girl died in Sacramento after accidentally biting into a rice crispy treat made with nuts.  Her father, a physician, gave her benadryl and 3 epipen injections to no avail.

I for one want to learn more about how we can keep all children safe.  And if that means being careful in our home and at the grocery store, considering what little johnny needs to be safe, then I will show my children how to think of others when choosing food.  I thank the parents of these children who tirelessly educate the public, friends and schools.

Luckily, swimming is a very safe place for these kids and we embrace them:)

Hi Whale Wisdom readers!

I’m so glad that Liesl invited me to write a guest blog post for Whale Wisdom readers. I have known Liesl for years and know that she’s passionate about swimming and teaching. Liesl knows that I’m passionate about food allergies because both of my sons have food allergies. One time, as we were chatting, we realized that our passions overlap!

Food allergies affect 1 in 13 children, nearly 6 million in the United States. It is an epidemic with no known cause and no known cure. For some people, a single bite of a food allergen, or even an insect sting, can cause anaphylaxis, a severe life-threatening type of allergic reaction that requires the use of an epinephrine auto-injector. People with food allergies often have asthma and eczema as well.

So how do swimming and food allergies overlap, you might ask? Well, very simply, swimming pools are usually a safe and clean allergen free area for people with food allergies. Swimming is a great form of exercise that improves one’s asthma health. The water adds moisture to dry skin and the chlorine also helps to control skin infections that can be caused by excessive scratching due to eczema. Swimming is great for my boys but always consult with your family’s doctor for specific advice about your loved ones’ medical concerns.

You can help those living with food allergies have a safe swimming experience by keeping food and drinks away from the pool area and by always washing hands after eating or snacking to prevent cross-contact. If you know someone with food allergies, ask them what you can do to keep them safe and what are their food allergies. You can learn when and how to use an epinephrine auto-injector, such as an Epi-pen. They will appreciate your kind concern.

I would like to invite everyone to Food Allergy Research Education (FARE) 5K Walk/Run for Food Allergies in Memory of BJ Hom on October 12, 2013, from 9 am to 1 pm, at Lake Cunningham Park in San Jose. The 5K walk/run is a family friendly event with live entertainment and activities for the entire family. BJ Hom tragically died as a result of his food allergy to peanuts shortly after his high school graduation during a family vacation to Mexico to celebrate his 18th birthday.

Thank you for reading and many thanks to LPB for their support of food allergies! Happy swimming!

For more information:

FARE: http://www.foodallergy.org/

Food Allergy Walk: http://www.foodallergywalk.org/bayarea

Sources:

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/12861890

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/1470792

http://www.nationaleczema.org/living-with-eczema/bathing-moisturizing

Sharon is a Bay Area native and worked as an elementary school teacher for many years until she and her husband started a family and have two sons. In addition to being a stay at home mom, Sharon does volunteer work for her children's schools as well as for FARE and other organizations.