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

Summer 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 investment - Essential water safety and drowning prevention tips every parent should know - How to help nervous children become more confident swimmers - Simple ways to practice swim skills outside of lessons - Erica's favorite pool and beach essentials - Easy snacks, games, and organization hacks for water days - How to create meaningful summer memories without chasing perfection Whether 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\_springfielddelco **Facebook** @bigblueswimschoolpaoli @bigblueswimschoolfairlesshills @bigblueswimschoolcherryhill @bigblueswimschoolspringfielddelco **Shopping Links** **Swimsuits for moms:** https://kiavaclothing.com **Sunglasses:** https://goodr.com **Hanna Andersson bathing suits:** https://www.hannaandersson.com/?srsltid=AfmBOorB\_SBEU8HeCgWMlKmYvMATklvasS02Ivr5p5u-pwC6iFB5fx3r **Costa 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