Helping Kids Conquer Their Fear

My first memory of going out on the water was when my dad took the family up to a lake in northern Ohio and paddling us to the other side of to join some friends for a picnic.  My memory of that event is vague, but I don't recall feeling any fear.  In fact, I thought it was really exciting to see the lake up close and wear what felt like a giant, canvas covered orange pillow around my neck.  However, as often happens with most families, life became more and more busy and the opportunities to head out on the water became limited.  The next time I remember my dad taking us to the lake I was a few years older and had forgotten the excitement I originally felt out on the water.  The next time, I felt fear.



Fast forward a quarter century and I find myself in the same boat (no pun intended!) with my own kids who face a fear of the water due to a lack of exposure.  As I have thought about how I dropped the ball and advice I could give parents with young kids, or even grandparents with young grandchildren, here are a few thoughts that have worked for me:

• Start them in the water as early as possible.  Get them in the pool, lake, or ocean and teach them to swim and learn that the water is not a scary place.
• Expose them to new things on a regular basis.  This applies to everything, not just water sports.  Children who are constantly exposed to new ideas and experiences learn more and in turn, seek out opportunities to learn and try new things.
• Make it fun.  I admit I have bribed my kids with food if they would do something to help them overcome fear.  Case in point: I bribed my 7 year old with extra ice cream if he would jump in the pool.  Once he did it and saw that it was fun, the kid couldn't stop jumping in!
• Explore!  Kids love to discover new things, whether it is seeing a fish up close, looking for seashells, or watching waterfowl.  I have seen my kids "forget" that they are afraid because they become completely engrossed in discovering something new.
• Return often.  By this I am advocating a healthy form of desensitization.  The more hours a child spends in the water, the greater their confidence will be.

In most cases, fear is the result of a lack of confidence.  Help your child build confidence in their ability to swim and in the strength of the boat.  The confidence they build in this part of their lives will bleed into other areas and become a positive force for them.

What have you done to help your children or grandchildren develop self confidence and a love of the water?  Drop us a line at safashor@comcast.net.  Don't forget to follow us on Facebook and Twitter!  Stay tuned for the official market release of the revolutionary Safashor gangplank, which makes getting on and off your boat a breeze!  Coming fall 2012.