The Ultimate Water Day Guide: Safety, Snacks & Summer Fun with Erica Kowal of Big Blue Swim School Ep. 32

Send us Fan MailSummer is here, and that means family days at the pool, beach, lake, and splash pad! But while water creates some of our favorite memories, it also comes with an important responsibility—keeping our kids safe.This week on MomsWork, Kristin sits down with Erica Kowal, wife, mom, and owner of Big Blue Swim School in Paoli, Pennsylvania, for a conversation every parent should hear. Erica shares why learning to swim is one of the most important life skills a child can have, practical tips for drowning prevention, and how parents can help children build confidence in and around the water.Beyond swim safety, Kristin and Erica dive into everything that makes summer water days easier and more enjoyable—from must-have beach and pool gear to favorite snacks, packing hacks, games, and the little things that help families spend less time stressing and more time making memories.Whether your family spends weekends by the pool, vacations at the beach, or simply loves soaking up the summer sun, this episode is packed with practical advice to help you enjoy every splash safely.In this episode, you'll learn:Why swim lessons are a life-saving investmentEssential water safety and drowning prevention tips every parent should knowHow to help nervous children become more confident swimmersSimple ways to practice swim skills outside of lessonsErica's favorite pool and beach essentialsEasy snacks, games, and organization hacks for water daysHow to create meaningful summer memories without chasing perfectionWhether you're packing for your next beach vacation or heading to your neighborhood pool, this episode is full of helpful ideas to make your family's summer safer, simpler, and more fun.If you enjoyed this episode, be sure to subscribe, leave a review, and share it with another parent who could use these tips. And don't forget to follow MomsWork Podcast on Instagram, Facebook, and YouTube for more conversations that support parents through every stage of work and family life.Mentioned in the show:Instagram @ericakowal@bigblueswim_paoli@bigblueswim_cherryhill@bigblueswim_fairlesshills@bigblueswim_springfielddelcoFacebook@bigblueswimschoolpaoli@bigblueswimschoolfairlesshills@bigblueswimschoolcherryhill@bigblueswimschoolspringfielddelcoShopping LinksSwimsuits for moms: https://kiavaclothing.comSunglasses: https://goodr.comHanna Andersson bathing suits: https://www.hannaandersson.com/?srsltid=AfmBOorB_SBEU8HeCgWMlKmYvMATklvasS02Ivr5p5u-pwC6iFB5fx3rCosta Rica Rick: https://montauksurfandsports.com/products/surfer-dudes-costa-rica-rick?srsltid=AfmBOoqANr3lUA0t48F7qsEuGzkqkHfYGGPW3RhuS9_8aOwrVJJMRZgY Dock and BayTowels: https://us.dockandbay.com/Native Shoes- https://www.nativeshoes.com/Sun Bum Sunscreen: https://www.sunbum.com/ Trader Joe's Face Sunscreen: https://www.traderjoes.com/home/products/pdp/daily-facial-sunscreen-spf-40-073568