Taking my cousin swimming

[Stuartspider]

Hi,

First post here but not too sure who to ask. My cousin is away for the week on work and I'm looking after her , just turned 9 year old, son.

He's asked me if we could go swimming, which I'm fine with. However he hasn't learned to swim (due to ear problems in the past) and I'd prefer him to wear armbands.

I've asked him if he has any armbands that we could take and he says that he's never used them and doesn't want to. But I'd like him to wear armbands to swimming, especially if he can't swim, just to make him safe. I spoke to him mum and she said it's up to me.

Am i being unfair if i make him wear armbands to swimming? I don't want to make him upset but I'd prefer that he's safe and I'm not worrying.

Thank you in advance

[StarryIllusion]

I wouldn't make a 9 year old wear armbands. You'll be right next to him and since you haven't said otherwise I assume you can swim? It'll be fine. Just stay close and out of the deep end.

[Ilikesweetpeas]

What about a pool noodle? He may feel very conspicuous in armbands but less so with one of these- often children use these when playing in water even if they can swim. Put it round his front under his arms. Obviously stay close and keep him within his depth. Hope you have fun!

[WinkyisbackontheButterBeer]

Maybe a float or a pool noodle instead.

[WinkyisbackontheButterBeer]

Cross post

[Crumbs1]

How will he ever learn to swim if he's wearing armbands? Better to let him splash around and take the plunge (sic) of taking his feet off the ground.

[RedSandYellowSand]

I wouldn't make a 9 year old wear armbands. Can he not stand up either in the smaller pool, if there is one, or at he shallow end of the normal pool?


Pool noodle is a good compromise if you need to buy something.

[edwinbear]

I wouldn't make him wear them, my 7 year old would die of embarrassment if I asked him to wear armbands. A float or noodle is a good compromise.

[HermioneJeanGranger]

So long as you stick to where he can stand up, he doesn't need to wear armbands. 9 is too old for them, sorry!

[Wolfiefan]

Surely armbands won't fit a child of that age. They wouldn't hold him up anyway. Stay in the shallower end and take a float to practice with.

[harderandharder2breathe]

Don't put a 9 year old in arm bands!

Make sure he knows to stay in the shallow end where he can stand up. He's nine. He can understand and follow such a simple instruction

[WyfOfBathe]

DD's armbands have a max weight limit of 30kg, which I would think some 9 year olds would be over. They also say that they're for 2-6 years.

Can you not just keep him in the shallow end where he's not out of his depth, and swim next to him? Or use a noodle or float, like other PPs hae suggested.

[Spikeyball]

My older child with sn wears them for safety reasons but I think most 9 year olds would object.

[WorraLiberty]

I dont' think any of mine ever owned arm bands.

As long as he stays in the shallow end with you, I don't see the need.

[viques]

He will be fine with you next to him. Just make sure that if he is trying to swim he either goes across the pool or starts in the middle and swims towards the shallow end, not start from the shallow end and swim to the deeper end.

[RedSkyAtNight]

If he can't swim you should be within arms length of him at all times anyway. Arm bands will only give false sense of security.

[Mummyoflittledragon]

He will be above the safe weight for arm bands and they will be ineffectual. As others have mentioned a noodle and staying in the shallow areas is much better.

[Singlelady]

He is a little old for arm bands. If you stick to the shallow end there should be no problems.

[gammaraystar]

Children never need armbands when 1:1 with an adult. They will never learn to swim otherwise.

[SomewhatIdiosyncratic]

I was 16 before I learned to swim. At 9, I stayed in my depth in the shallow end.

At 9 he's probably in his depth up to or close to the no non-swimmers sign so there shouldn't be a need for a flotation aid. Noodles are good and used by all ages if necessary, but arm bands are for young children if used at all (mine have never used them, used a jacket when necessary)

[Ginkypig]

As long as you stick right next to him or at the very least stay in the shallow end so he can stand then he won't need armbands.

A float might be helpful if the pool has one you can borrow.

Tbh there is no point in going if he is forced to wear them because instead of a fun day out your just be floating next to a huffing child who wants to be anywhere except where he is.

[Kalitall]

Agree with others just stay in the shallow end, no arm bands.

They can go swimming alone at 8 anyway in most places.

[ladyvimes]

My 3 year old can't swim and doesn't wear armbands even when it's deep. I just stay near him (obviously). It's actually much better for their water confidence to not wear armbands.

He'll be fine. I'd stay in the shallow end where he can stand up. He'll be totally fine!

[Sparklingbrook]

I don't understand a child who can't swim wanting to go swimming. Will they just stand in the shallow end? They will get very cold.

I thought schools now did swimming lessons so that by a certain age children could at least swim a length.

[Kalitall]

Sparklingbrook I couldn't swim until I was 11 but I still went swimming! I even went alone with friends.

I would just splash about and play in the water.

How would anyone learn to swim if they don't go to the pool

[ragz134]

Armbands are useless. A 9 year old would look ridiculous with arm bands. Just don't take him out of his depth.