Some individual barn swallows are more aggressively protective of their babies than other barn swallows. (It was this over-aggressiveness that got one of our parent swallows killed earlier this year when they kept dive-bombing our cat. One swoop too many! Whereas other years our swallows have avoided the cat and stayed safely high up in eaves where their nest was.)

Most swallows do become aggressive for a day or two before their little ones fly the nest and for several days after. During this time period it is wise to avoid the nest and the area around it. (I keep my cat indoors during this week.)

It is unlikely however that the dive-bombing swallows will actually harm you or your family with their defensive attacks. I advise that you take advantage of the fledging period to watch the babies fly from a safe distance or inside the house, if the windows offer a view. It would be a great chance to introduce your child to the natural world of birds. Or if that isn't possible, just avoid the area for about a week. By then the babies will have flown and the parents will not be defending their nest.