A MERMAID'S GUIDE is your new must-have parenting book. It will reveal an empowering, "empathy forward" and innovative approach to swimming. It's imperative you start planting the proper seeds to ensure your child becomes a strong, joyful swimmer. Now you can use the same method Hollywood's biggest stars use to turn your child into a water-loving mermaid | merman.

SUNSCREEN: Blue Lizard sun screen is one of my favorites! (Or any natural, zinc based sunscreen is great.)

Mermaid tip: Be sure to put on sunscreen 20 - 30 minutes BEFORE swimming!

Dive Toys: I love dive toys! Anything that sinks to the bottom that your little one can practice putting their face in the water to reach it is great.

Mermaid tip: These are also great in the bath to practice the first phase of swimming. Go to @AMermaidsGuide on Instagram for a free 10 lesson bathtub series. I’ll teach your little one, so you can kick back and relax. (While watching your child at all times, obviously.)

Goggles: My favorite kind of goggles are TYR YOUTH FOAM. They are soft around the kids eyes and when you press them in to seal them they make a great “BURP” noise the kids love!

Mermaid Tip: Goggles are a great tool to help your little one open their eyes in the water if they are nervous about it. Tell them to “blink, blink, blink” underwater and tell you what they see! (Eventually you’ll want your little one to practice swimming without goggles to make sure they are safe, but for learning purposes, go ahead and use goggles!)

Swim Diapers: I adore re-useable swim diapers. They are cute and save waste. I like the iplay diapers, but you can find a variety of colors and sizes.

Mermaid tip: Your baby can swim in just the diaper, you don’t even need a swim suit. (If you don’t want to!)