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AIBU?

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Original poster

Asked to leave poolside during 3-yr olds swimming lesson

135 replies

vera16 · 10/03/2022 21:54

3-year old DS has been swimming in a pre level one swimming class for about 5 weeks. Parents have always sat on a little bench nearby and helped out kids as required. All very nice and DS really enjoys it. Tonight a pool attendant asked all parents to move to the balcony which is a 2-min walk away back through the building, I didn't feel happy. Sat on the balcony and waved at kids (who were then confused and spent rest of lesson looking for parents on balcony). I then had to watch helpless from balcony as my DS wondered off by himself in the water (no armbands) as the teacher had her back to him sorting out another child. Can't blame the teacher these are 3 yr olds after all. I just had to hope that someone would notice in good time if he slipped and went underwater as there was no way I could have helped him. AIBU to request to speak to the manager about this?

OP posts:
Mallysmomma · 10/03/2022 22:27

It seems unnatural I know but it’s actually really needed. It’s a hard lesson but they need to learn that they have to save themselves and not always rely on us parents. Obviously keep a good eye and if they were ever to slip under and not be seen; I’m sure your scream would alert them very quickly. X

busyeatingbiscuits · 10/03/2022 22:26

Maybe do a parent and child session for another year and then try lessons again when he's 4-5 and you feel a bit more confident?

Foldinthecheese · 10/03/2022 22:24

We can sit poolside at my 3yo’s lesson, but there’s also a a lifeguard dedicated to watching the group so the instructor can focus on individual students. It sounds like there aren’t enough adults present for the lesson, so I would absolutely raise a concern.

Original poster
vera16 · 10/03/2022 22:21

There are lifeguards so no issue there (apart from maybe my own trust issue!). He did actually slip under the water a few weeks ago and luckily the instructor was on hand to lift him straight back up. I just feel I would like to be on hand until he can swim a little/is more able to do exactly what the teacher says. Interesting to hear that this is normal policy in other pools though.

OP posts:
MaizeAmaze · 10/03/2022 22:18

I dont think having the parents on the balcony us unreasonable, HOWEVER, if there is no lifeguard, and just one instructor in the water with a bunch of 3 year olds, I'd remove him from the lessons.

DistrictCommissioner · 10/03/2022 22:05

This is standard at our pool tbh, all viewing is from the balcony.

NumberTheory · 10/03/2022 22:05

If there's no lifeguard to keep an eye on wanderers the instructor needs to be keeping all kids in sight at all times. They shouldn't be relying on parents to stop the kids from drowning because parents are also easily distracted. So if there weren't any life guards there and the instructor was unable to keep all the kids in line of sight, I think you should be complaining whether you were poolside or not.

In general, I don't think it's a terrible policy. It's not at all uncommon for parents to be kept away from the poolside. Little kids are often distracted by parents who are close by (they should soon get over looking for you all on the balcony if it's kept up consistently). But it should be a deliberate swim-school or pool policy not the whim of whoever happens to be a pool attendant that day.

And if it's deliberate and not a policy you like you're free (and not at all unreasonable) to find a different school that encourages parents to be near.

Hellocatshome · 10/03/2022 22:05

There should be a lifeguard and I think the swimming teacher should not he teaching in such a way she has her back to any kids. The lessons I have watched the teachers never seem to turn their back on the little ones.

Sometimeswinning · 10/03/2022 22:02

This is standard for my children's swimming lessons. Second floor viewing area. Was there no lifeguard?

MsChatterbox · 10/03/2022 21:55

Not unreasonable at all!