Five years ago when we were in a really bad place financially, I shared our struggles here on the blog.
I didn’t do it looking for anything. I did it because it felt good to let it out, and it felt freeing to be completely honest about our situation.
Something happened as a result of sharing our story.
There was no judging or shaming.
Instead, let us know we were not alone, and they lifted up my family.
In December 2013 I didn’t have one cent for Christmas presents. For the first time in my life I had no idea how I was going to give the kids a Christmas.
And people came to my rescue.
People I knew helped me out.
And people I had never met before helped me out.
It was humbling and surprising and encouraging and just amazing.
One of the bleakest times of my life turned into one of the most amazing Christmas seasons I had ever experienced.
It was truly magical.
And at that time, I remember telling the people who helped us out that at some point when I was able too, I’d pay it forward.
I’m ready to pay it forward.
I’m not in a position to write out a check for two hundred bucks to anyone or drop of a couple Benjamins in anyone’s mailbox.
But there is something else I can do.
We are very fortunate to have a pool at home.
My kids have spent thousands of hours in it.
Thousands.
Four of our kids are on the swim team, but all of them are pretty strong swimmers.
When you have a pool in your back yard and a mom who is a swim coach, that’s kind of inevitable.
Most kids do not find themselves in that situation.
My kids are lucky.
I often take this for granted.
The accidental drowning of Body Miller’s daughter has had me really thinking for the last 24 hours.
A couple years ago, Number 5 was at a birthday party and one of her friends had a near drowning.
She had to be resuscitated, and thankfully was fine.
But it was pretty traumatic.
I have taught thousands of swim lessons to kids in my lifetime.
And one way I can pay it forward is to teach kids to swim.
For free.
And that’s what I am able to do for two kids this summer.
I want to give the opportunity to learn to swim to two children who are not as fortunate as mine.
Two children will receive:
- ten thirty-minute, one-on-one private swim lessons with me
What are the criteria for being eligible?
- Kids must be at least 3 years old
- they must be non-swimmers
- They must have transportation to my home
- They must be available for instruction before noon on weekdays in July
- you must be nominated by someone
I wish I didn’t have to limit it to two people, but that’s all I am able to do right now. I am looking to help out children and families who do not have access to a pool or money to afford swim lessons.
If you know of a family who is not in a position to give their children the life-saving skill of knowing how to swim, please submit your nomination in the form of an email to susie@not-your-average-mom.com with the subject: PAY IT FORWARD SWIM LESSON NOMINATION
Please share any pertinent/important information you believe will help me make a decision.
Nominations must be submitted by Friday, June 29th, 2018, and this summer’s recipients of the first ever NYAM Pay It Forward Swim Lessons will be announced on
Sunday, July 1st.
I am so excited to be able to give the gift of swimming to two deserving families and their children, and I anxiously await your nominations.
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