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This is the first installment of our New Moms blog series. Check back periodically to read about the real life stories from the moms at Safe Kids.
Sometimes kids bounce and sometimes they don’t. My son, Winston, is proof. I've lost count of how many times he's fallen really hard -- and he's only 3 years old
This blog was written by Madi Hawkins, Safe Kids Public Policy summer intern.
In my first days at a Safe Kids intern, we released “Hidden Hazards: An Exploration of Open Water Drowning and Risks for Children," which discusses the dangers that confront kids in open water like lakes and rivers. It brought me back to an experience I had when I was about four years old.
Camping season is in full gear and America’s parks and wilderness areas are filled with city dwellers trying to get some peace, quiet and fresh air. There is nothing more relaxing than lying in a hammock by a clear lake or watching wildlife on a remote trail. Camping is also a great way to teach kids about nature and can provide bonding time away from the glare of electronic devices and the noise of our everyday lives.
On August 1, 2014, my beloved 27-year-old son “Benjo” drowned in the Bahamas while practicing for spearfishing. Benjo was extremely adventurous, artistic, outgoing and he had a great sense of humor. He was also an accomplished athlete; a state champion alpine skier, sailing instructor and SCUBA instructor with over 1,500 logged dives. The fact that he lived on top of and underneath the water for the better part of his shortened life made his death even more incomprehensible.