Am I irresponsible or is it just the mom guilt talking?

Dear Grace,

I wasn’t able to sign my kids all up for camp this summer (expensive and impossible to sync up camp drop off/pick up with work), so I hired a college student to babysit my kids this summer in the mornings Monday-Friday. She seems great but she isn’t CPR certified and would be responsible for taking my kids to the public pool for swimming lessons and play time. I’m feeling really anxious about this. Is it safe for her to supervise? 

– Concerned in Columbus

Dear Concerned,

First of all, it’s amazing that you’re putting the extra thought in here where your family is concerned. Drowning is one of the top causes of accidental death among children, and it is easily preventable with a bit of consideration. So, good on you for being a motivated mama bear. 

Here’s some good news. In practice, most swim teachers need CPR training to get hired. In addition, most public pools have lifeguards on duty; either because they are required to, or because they realize it’s just the smart thing to do. 

Still, your concern is valid, and I’m wondering if there is a deeper question behind it. Are you having a hard time trusting this new babysitter with your children? Feeling “mom guilt” about hiring someone without safety training? Concerned about judgment from poolside moms? You wouldn’t be the first mom to deal with any of these feelings. 

Here are some tips for a safe, happy summer for you, your kids, and your sitter: 

• Get to know the pool’s safety protocol. Together with your babysitter, learn about the pool’s safety measures and what she should do in the event of an accident or emergency. Attend a swim lesson if you can (or ask for some video and photos if it’s not possible) so you can look for any additional potential issues and hopefully calm your fears.
• Encourage your babysitter to get CPR certified. Classes aren’t typically expensive, and only take a few hours to complete. You may possibly even find a free class through the fire or police department, the library, local hospital or other community resources. If you can’t find a class that lines up with her schedule, YouTube videos are worth their weight in gold. Though she won’t be certified, she’ll be more prepared on what to do.
• Create an emergency plan. Talk to your sitter about exactly what you’d like her to do if there is an emergency. Confirm that she has your cell number and another backup contact saved in her cell, and that she has a copy of your daughter’s insurance card and doctor’s office number on hand.

Arming yourself (and your sitter) with information is a certain cure–or at least salve–for tackling those real fears and risks that you may be feeling. If you can spare the time away from work, consider going with your babysitter for the first day or two so you both get the lay of the land. I know it may not always feel like it, but you’re doing a great job, Concerned. 

Hope this advice is the life raft you were looking for.

<3 Grace