We went to the beach for the first time this season. Although we have been many times, this time was much different than last year. It’s just like anything else, as my kid grows and matures his skills and awareness are increasing. So old rules may need to be changed and new rules need to be made. It’s a new experience for all of us. Especially when water is involved you have to pay lots of attention. My wife and I work as a team to watch him like a hawk. For me it’s important to know my kid very well and be very familiar with what his capabilities are. That is where the bar is set. then I drop the bar down a notch or 2 for safety. Even a well behaved toddler will test his parents limits when they see you aren’t looking. We live near the ocean and there are factors like rising tides and waves and even rip currents that I take note on while I wrap my head around what is safe and what isn’t. The morning was low tide and sand bars were all around and as the day passed the tide rolled in and waves picked up . The same shallow area he had played in was no longer waist deep but shoulder deep. Small waves occasionally brought the water over his chin. The rules we applied for low tide had to be changed on the fly . Kids don’t always get it. It can all happen in an instant. You have to aware of your surroundings while you are having fun.
