My toddler fell in a pond

[blacksheep2014]

Just that really. Entirely my fault, easter egg hunt with my DSDs at their mums house, me in charge of toddler by proximity, he's 2.5. He was in up to his shoulders by the time i made up the three steps between us. He didn't swallow any water as his mouth didn't go under, he's been bathed twice since and continued about his day demanding chocolate, playing, having a nap and generally acting like nothing happened.

Anyone who's had a near miss able to give me any tips to stop the internal shaking? 15 year career in childcare, I can't actually believe it, keep replaying it in my head. And also, goes without saying but be careful, I reckon my eyes were off of him for 1.5 seconds, i saw him, shouted 'DS wait!' He said wait back to me and then stepped right in.

We did say something early on along the lines of, have you thought about a cover for it, but they didn’t want to because of the fish. We never made a “thing” of it because it would have been a losing battle so instead we were very very careful.

When she was about 3 DD stepped straight off an ornamental bridge that went over a pond and went under she was right next to me, I grabbed her by her collar.

This was at my Aunt's and she didn't have any grandchildren at the time.

The worst part was the nasty mark on her neck from me dragging her out.

She's sat next to me doing GCSE homework, my aunt filled in the pond not long afterwards as my cousin's started having children.

These things happen and honestly if you have a child like mine you can't dwell on near misses just be on your toes!

Great Way to learn his lesson, no harm done (long term) and now you have an "interesting" story to embarrass him/yourself with if needed in 20 years time.

Oh @blacksheep2014 I remember this feeling only too well. DS and I fell into a river when he was 3 and I was 9 months pregnant. A total freak accident but one of the most traumatic experiences ever!

It really set off my anxiety in terms of wondering whether he or the baby could have caught something from the dirty water (I totally went under as the weight of my belly made me fall head first like in a cartoon).

Anyway, everyone was totally fine! DS did get wary around water for a time but now he doesn't bat an eyelid so no lasting damage!

Take care of yourself, it will all be OK I promise.

Why are they so attracted to water? I was in a park once and saw a small child taking off at high speed on a little tricycle towards a pond chased by a parent who had been taken by surprise. I ran and stood in front of the trike just as it got to the water’s edge. The toddler was SO MIFFED but his mother gasped a heartfelt “thanks!” as she hauled him away

This happened to my son at a similar age. We were at someone's house for a play date (several children there) and they had an unsecured pond. The children went in the garden with adults but my son still managed to fall in! I don't know if he swallowed any water, to be honest, I didn't really think about it and just gave him a bath. He's 25 now!

My dd2 jumped into a river following some ducks when she was 18 months. I was a few feet away and it was terrifying! She fell 6ft and I jumped after her. One of the scariest moments I’ve ever had. I shook for hours and she was right as rain. Friends came home and said “weegie, why are you wet?” I was wet to the waist but hadn’t even noticed!
you just react and deal with it, that’s the way things work when you’re in such a place.

dd2 is 21 now and thinks it’s hilarious. Can’t say that even now I feel the same!!