to think 4 year olds should not be playing in or around flooded rivers?

[captainhook]

Short version!

We live in a city which has a beautiful river running through it. Beautiful, but deep, cold and fast flowing. Just now it's flooded up to the cycle path DS and I use and there are enticing shallow edges to paddle in, which are still part of the full river.

DS is not allowed to play in or near the edge of the river - he's 4.5 and can't swim. However we met an acquaintance's DD of similar age and she was being allowed to paddle in the flooded water with mum a long way back on the path.

Which view would you endorse?

[gobehindabushfgs]

was she struggling? if not then I think there was no problem

her mum presumably was keeping an eye on her

I have happy childhood memories of playing in water, splashing about, catching sticklebacks, finding frogspawn etc

one can be too protective IMO

[ANTagony]

Definitely not allowed to paddle in edges of a river in flood.

Sadly it wouldn't make much difference if you can swim or not if you're pulled/ slipped into a fast flowing river at this time of year.

[LadyOfTheManor]

The thing is, if the edges of the river bank were sodden, they may collapse, so allowing a child to prance about on the edge seems a bit silly to me.

Then again I send my ds to the swimming pool with arm bands, a rubber ring and ensure 2 adults accompany him. pfb

[LessNarkyPuffin]

Fast flowing water would mean I'd be holding their hand.

[captainhook]

thanks for replies. I know I can be overprotective of DS, so helpful to have some extra perspectives. I settle for sending him swimming with his dad who has a lifesaving qualification :)

Thanks again.

[GrimmaTheNome]

In the scenario you describe, I'm with you. Fast rivers are dangerous. The question isn't, 'was the child struggling', but would it be struggling if it took a couple of steps the wrong way or slipped.

We spend lots of time mucking around in water with DD - sometimes complete with net and identification charts, but in streams or lakesides not fullscale rivers!

[Blu]

The edge of a fast flowing river in flood is no place for a small child, imo! There could be a strong current v close to the edge, and a child can be washed away in strong flowing water which is only knee deep. Sadly where my Mum lives a channel of incoming tide only knee deep caused two children (aged 7 and 5) to drown a few years ago.

Also, a 4 yo busy splashing might not notice a sudden change in depth.

The police say peple who fall in the Thames only surive a few monutes in winter because of the current and the cold.

Stickleback scenario totally different, IMO.

[Northernlurker]

YANBU - small children and fast, deep, cold, unpredictable water is a bad combination.
I would let a child in wellies paddle in the very edges if and only if they were holding my hand and understood it was only that precaution which made it acceptable.

[muddyangels123]

No way - fast flood water is dangerous.

My DD, loves to paddle in our local stream/rivers/becks.
Never when the water is running off the hills, causing a flood risk.
Just not worth the risk imo.

[grumblinalong]

This child was paddling at the edge of a flooded river, in the UK, in February?

I am not at all overprotective of my DS's and actively encourage them to be adventurous but this sounds like plain stupidity to me?