First proper day off of the Easter holidays

[Sweets101]

And one DC nearly drowns but is luckily saved by another child (child! I didn't even notice til said child told me!)

Other DC takes off on their own despite strict instructions which they completely ignore. Turns out they are no where near as trustworthy/responsible as i thought. Any of them!
Just sinking in how bad a day it really was.

[Emphasise]

Oh dear

How old and where were you? Is someone taking care of you?

[Graceflorrick]

Oh Sweets

[Sweets101]

Nope. SP so, definitely my fault etc.
Drowning one is 4. I trusted she would stay on the sunlounger on my phone, i was in the pool not 10ft away from where she must have jumped in. Stopped momentarily to talk to other DC. I didn't even notice her jump in and be pulled out. Didn't even notice! I wonder how long she could have been at the bottom of the pool if another child hadn't pulled her out? Long enough anyway.
Other DC is 8, trying to allow a little bit of freedom.

[Sweets101]

Just so fed up. I try so so hard, but they are two big fat fails in one day! I have no excuses, i have been VVU today.

[TalkingofMichaelAngel0]

Yea they are very young to be left unsupervised by a pool. You got very, very lucky. 4 year olds should have to be reaponsible either. Thats your job.

Tomorrow will
Be a better day

[Sweets101]

I thought at 4 and after countless (and a just happened conversation) about not going near the pool as she didn't have her armbands on she could be responsible for that. In the same way she's responsible for going to the toilet or putting her own shoes on. But no. Not today.
You are right, i was very very lucky.
I hover over them like a gnat in the bath ffs.
Can't believe i didn't notice.

[TalkingofMichaelAngel0]

Can the four year old
Not swim either?

[Sweets101]

She wears armbands. Always only taken off as we went in the sauna and had been eating. She's not allowed around the pool without armbands unless she's holding my hand.
But, but, a million buts. I fucked up today.

[peachgreen]

You're very brave to post this in AIBU, OP...!

Hope tomorrow is a better day and glad the little one is okay.

[Sweets101]

Thanks Peach

[SalemSaberhagen]

Yeah, you fucked up. But everything was ok in the end, and you hold your hands up too. Stop beating yourself up now, what's done is done

[DailyMailDontStealMyThread]

Today is a new day and you won't repeat your mistakes from Yesterday. I hole you have a better week

[stopfuckingshoutingatme]

Lessons learnt now please don't let this ruin your well earned holiday x

[Bat3]

This happened to me a few weeks ago! Still feeling the guilt now. Took my eye off my 6 year old for a few seconds and she went under and was rescued by another child.

Was having flashbacks for the week afterwards and still feel horrified.

You're not the only one.

The only good thing to come out of it is.. reminded me just how dangerous water is. A lucky escape.
Tomorrow will be better.

[hamandmustard]

only taken off as we went in the sauna

She went in the sauna?

[monkeysox]

Swimming lessons as soon as you get back. 🍷

[Kennethwasmyfriend]

There are many such almost-a-disaster moments in any parent's life. Just be thankful and move on.

[Ohyesiam]

This all happened and you still have your lovely kids
We all live and learn.
Don't beat yourself up, or let it ruin your holiday. Just go forward armed with your new knowledge. You are allowed to make mistakes.

[listsandbudgets]

Oh op thats an awful shock for all of you. Its so easy to make a mistake and seems to me 4 year olds just dont listen ever. Hopefully the frightening experience will make her think twice.

Not as scary but I told my 4 year old NOT to climb a fence the on Friday after he kept trying. Turned my back a few minutes later to pick up a toy and heard screaming. Poor boyhad climbed fence and fallen flat in a huge bed of nettles and was covered in stings anywhere his shorts and t shirt didnt cover him . Oddly enough every suggestion ive made has been listened to and acted on so far since then. I still feel awful though.

I hope today brings better things.

[witsender]

You didn't fuck up. You slipped, slightly. Not the same thing. You were there, you hadn't wandered off. Both my children have had swimming lessons since year dot, and spend about 3/4 of the year on or around the water and they still do.stupid shit sometimes because they're kids. It isn't their fault, and it isn't your fault.

Start again and enjoy the rest of the holiday. Tell the 4 yr old that you understand the water looked tempting but you need them to understand that it isn't safe on their own with no safety devices (have a look at swim vests, they're like life jackets but slimmer and less cumbersome than arm bands) so you will need them to stay near you. Talk to 8 year old about how easy it is to get caught up with what others are doing, but they need to communicate with you as you need to know where they are at all times as it is your job to keep them safe.

[StillStayingClassySanDiego]

It happened, all is well now your 4 year old is ok and as said , today is another day so live and learn .

Have a good remainder of your holiday.

[witsender]

Meant to say my 3 yr old slipped on a slipway and went under while I was right there putting his sister's shorts on. Shit happens.

[mammmamia]

Sorry OP that sounds rough
But did you take your 4 yo into the sauna??

[heron98]

Sounds like you had a scare but understandable.

I would have thought at 4 she is old enough not to just jump in the pool without her armbands so would have trusted her too.