How to handle this...?

Question

we are going on a boat on labor day. earlier today my daughter fell in the pool and went under water. we went on the boat today and I held her the whole time on the main deck (not an expert on boats). When we went on the lower part of the boat where you can't see that much water, she ran around with her cousin's. When we went back on to the main part of the boat, she put her her head down, closed her eyes and hung around me very tightly. she said "no more boat, bad boat". I tried to give her to my husband but she wouldn't even move. how should I handle this. she may be intimidated because of the boat's size. by the way she is two years old.

here's more of what happened earlier today...

http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index;_ylt=Ariz1nU8EK_SfVRqmUcy70x.7hR.;_ylv=3?qid=20080829162632AA1TsGH

Answer 1

I agree with pp, she is just really really scared of the water now, b/c she knows firsthand how dangerous it is.  While you don't want her to be terrified of the water, a little bit of fear is not a bad thing, you know!!  I would take some time and reintroduce her to the water slowly.

A similar thing happened to my oldest son.  We were at a birthday party for my nephew and he and I were standing beside the pool when a child bumped into him and knocked him in.  He sank like a stone and it scared the life out of both of us.  That was when he was 2 years old...he is now 7 and is still extremely cautious around the water.  He's not terrified of it, but doesn't take it as nothing either.  I prefer that very much over my now 2 yr old who has zero fear and we have to watch like a hawk!!

Answer 2

You need to show her that water is positive.  Time to re-introduce her slowly and carefully and show her through your own actions that it's good.  Remember, she takes her cues from YOU.  If you are tense, she will be tense and convinced that water and boats are evil.  If you relax and laugh and show her how much fun it is, she will learn to relax and will be much safer around water.

Oh, and GET HER SWIMMING LESSONS.  It's never too early and it might just save her life some day.

Answer 3

She's afraid of the water because of what happened today. This is normal! Give her a lifejacket (this should be obvious) and tell her that she will not fall into the water, but even if she did she would stay floating and not go under. Hold her. She wants her Mommy there because she feels safe around you.

Answer 4

It's just a matter of her getting use to being around water again. Expose her to it. The more you do the faster she will overcome her fears of the water.

Answer 5

have you thought maybe she is sea sick and not just afraid of the water?  

Answer 6

don't make an issue of things, keep the life jacket on her, and let her choose how she wants to feel.  enroll her in swim lessons & take a CPR class.

Answer 7

I hope you had a life preserver on her and yourself.  The poor thing is traumatized... give her time away from the water.