My 3 year old daughter has taken to the pool this summer. Last year she would only go in if she was latched on to my wife or I with a death grip. This year she's been way better, and will even kick around by herself in her puddle jumper (with one of us watching).

Last week we were at the pool with my 2 nephews, who are way more rambunctious. I was in the pool with all 3 of them, but being accosted by the two boys when I happened to look over and saw my daughter had taken off her puddle jumper and gotten back in the pool to swim without them like her older cousin. I saw her go under and come back up a few times gasping for air, no splashing or yelling or anything, and my stomach dropped. I got to her in about 2 steps and pulled her up, but it still scared the crap out of me.