May is National Water Safety Month, and for me, water safety isn’t just a seasonal reminder—it’s part of everyday life.
There is a unique kind of motherhood that happens near the water.
While some moms spend their summers at parks, ball fields, or soccer games, mine are spent poolside, on boats, and counting goggles, towels, snacks, sunscreen bottles, and lifejackets before we even leave the house. Between swim bags with extra snacks to keep my kiddos moving, chlorine-scented laundry, and asking “Do you need more sunscreen?” for the hundredth time, water has become part of our everyday life.
We are always prepared for whatever water adventure comes our way.
When Water Is Part of Everyday Life
Being a mom in aquatics means water is part of every hour of my day.
I spend my workdays around pools, supporting aquatics directors and helping keep their programs running safely and smoothly. Then I shift into mom mode—heading back to the water with my own kids so they can splash, play, and simply be kids. And when the day starts to slow down, bath time brings us right back to water again.
From sunrise to bedtime, water isn’t just part of my job—it’s part of our life.
The Part That Never Turns Off
The fun parts of being around water are easy to love. The harder parts are the ones that never really turn off.
When I’m in the pool with my own kids—trying to play, laugh, and just be present—water safety is still at the front of my mind. I catch myself scanning the water and watching every movement, just like I would on deck. It’s hard to fully shut that off because I know how quickly things can change.
A lifejacket doesn’t automatically mean a child is safe—it’s just one layer of protection. The child jumping off the diving board with a pool noodle? I’m watching to make sure they come back up. The toddler near the edge? I’m aware of every step. That awareness never really leaves.
What I Always Want Families to Remember
Water safety isn’t just part of my job—it’s part of who I am. I see it everywhere: neighborhood pools, ponds, lakes, splash pads, and rivers. And because of that, I feel a responsibility to educate and advocate whenever I can.
The reality is, fences don’t always stop children. Gates can accidentally be left open. Older siblings can unlatch them. Lifejackets help, but they don’t eliminate every risk, especially in moving water where currents can be stronger than people realize.
Over the years, both as an aquatics professional and as a mom, there are a few reminders I always carry with me around water:
- Stay within arm’s reach of young or inexperienced swimmers.
- Designate a “water watcher” during gatherings or lake days.
- Reapply sunscreen more often than you think.
- Lifejackets help, but they are not a substitute for supervision.
- Put phones down when children are near water.
Phones Down, Eyes Up
As we recognize National Water Safety Month, it’s an important reminder that water safety starts with awareness and presence.
At the YMCA of Greater Omaha, we use a simple but powerful phrase: “Phones down, eyes up.”
Be present. Get in the water. Play, laugh, throw a ball, and make memories—but do it with intention and awareness. Safe fun is still fun.
Because around water, the smallest moments of attention can make the biggest difference. Might even safe a life.
Did you know? 88% of child drownings occur with at least one adult present, and 50% of children drown within 25 yards of a parent or other adult, according to the National Drowning Prevention Alliance. Many people think they will hear someone struggling in the water but actually drowning is silent and can happen in as little as 30 seconds.
Let's Keep Each Other Safe This Summer
If you or someone you know would like more information about water safety or swim lessons, please feel free to reach out to me at aostendorf@metroymca.org.
You can also visit PhonesDownEyesUp.org to take the YMCA's pledge and learn more about the layers of protection you can put in place to help keep kids safe around water.
It truly takes a village to protect one another, and our aquatics team at the YMCA of Greater Omaha is here to help!
Let’s take that next step together as we head into summer—and always.
-Ashley O., association support director - aquatics