Preventing Child Drowning: A Mother's Story

Summary

In a heartfelt conversation, Emily Kaiser shares the profound grief and lessons learned after her son Trigg tragically drowned in a pool. She describes the moment she received the devastating phone call, how her world shattered, and the long, painful journey of processing a preventable accident. Emily emphasizes that grief is not a linear process with stages, but a permanent coexistence with life, where joy and sadness can exist simultaneously. She recounts the intense public scrutiny and hurtful commentary she faced, while also acknowledging the overwhelming support received from her community. Emily stresses the critical importance of multiple safety barriers for pools, including fences, swim lessons like ISR, and constant vigilance, as drowning is the leading cause of death for children under three. She advocates for open conversations about loss to honor loved ones and prevent future tragedies. Emily also discusses the challenges of parenting her younger son while navigating her grief, the importance of her marriage and shared grief with her husband, and how to support those who are grieving, highlighting that simple words of “I’m sorry” are more impactful than platitudes about being in a “better place.”