Would you think I'm weird? Swimming

We were swimming this afternoon at a pool with diving boards, and my 2 strong swimmers only wanted to jump in, swim round and climb back up ready to go again. On repeat, for nearly an hour. 🙄 Lots of other kids the same and no-one seemed to pay any heed.

I had a similar situation recently where my 3yo in a float jacket just wanted to float around playing imaginary games and kept telling me to leave her alone! I did lengths of the (small) pool keeping eyes on her. First decent swim I've had with kids present since having them!

Your child is happy, who cares what other people think?

You sound great! Please don’t worry. You’re supervising and she’s enjoying herself and that’s all that matters 😊

This OP.

Parent of ASD teen. The hardest thing has been working out how to stop worrying what other people think.

I will say that the person who matters is your child. If your child is comfortable and happy, you are winning.

I would think that you are teaching her to be independent while supervising. I do these unusual things very often myself as my child has additional needs. She is older teen so by now I just don’t care - It will come, OP

I voted YABU and I just wanted to comment and clarify you are ONLY being unreasonable to give a shit what anyone else thinks! I mean I get it, I'm a single mum of 2 DC with SEN and my beautiful DS5 regularly makes me look like the shittest mam on the planet 🤦🏼‍♀️😂 I know I'm a great mam though so sod what anyone else thinks 🤷🏼‍♀️

Parenting is hard whether the DC has SEN or not, we should all be supporting not judging but sadly I think that's a pipedream! I can see PP have given advice on how to be actively involved without distressing your DD and I hope these work simply to enhance the joy your DD has at the pool and to hopefully make you feel less awkward but even if they don't, you just keep doing you and what's best for your DD and ignore whatever anyone else might be thinking (I highlight might as I think the voice in our head always goes for the negative when in reality they probably haven't even given us a second thought let alone judged us negatively, most judgemental arseholes speak up in superior tones rather than thinking things quietly)

@mumofoneAlonebutokay You need to be confident in the knowledge that you are doing what's best for your child even though people around you might not understand it. This is just the beginning. Take it from a fellow mum with an autistic 15 year old: You will be judged. But you will have to get used to it. "I am doing what's best for my child" should be your inner voice. Try finding other parents with autistic/ND children so you can support each other.

Good move not spending money on swimming lessons. Mine had some that actually made him afraid of the pool. A couple of months later we returned and I left him to it. At 8 he was swimming well (self learnt). There have just started group swimming sessions for autistic kids (for free!) where I live. Ask around to see if you got something similar.

Of course it's not weird. I'd probably tread water or splash about just because that's how I am in water. But get some floats,noodles, one of those bricks you dive for? Or they might have that stuff there to borrow/rent?
It's great she feels confident to get in there without needing you hand holding. If there's fun stuff to play with I'm sure she'll engage with you a bit more soon.

You’re doing fine.

Another vote for the dive toys, maybe also a float that she could hold on to an kick, and a noodle that you could hold out for her to go under

I swim regularly, and quite often there are kids playing in the pool. I’m focusing on my own swimming, and the only thing that irks me is when people suddenly lurch backwards right in front of me. I don’t personally care about being splashed seeing as I’m already wet 🤷‍♀️ Is there a session for disabled people? I sometimes go to that, and there are some parents with an obviously autistic young lad who seems to love the water. That’s usually the same people every session, so we’re on saying ‘hello’ terms, and it’s nice, as we all accommodate each other’s different needs.

Edited to add - No, I wouldn’t think you were weird, I’d barely register you 😊

Echoing all the others here and saying you are definitely doing the right thing. At the end of the day, it's nobody's business how you swim as a family and why. The pool is there for everyone!

I know what you mean about feeling awkward though so maybe you could mention it to the lifeguards? I used to be one and this is definitely something I'd help out with, even if it was just with a comforting glance across to you every now and again. If the other parents see that you have a good rapport with the staff, they might catch on that there's a very good reason for you to spend.

Keep swimming! It's brilliant!

I'd probably do a bit of "swimming" around rather than just standing, but on the whole I wonder if anyone really notices?

I don’t think you’re doing anything wrong tbh. It’s not anyone’s business as long as you’re not neglecting your child.

I work as a lifeguard in a hotel and as long as you are not letting her jump in if not allowed and supervising her instead of sitting on a phone on the side not even watching what she is up to then crack on. Ignore the parents who tutt and keep her having fun as she is building confidence in the water.

We swim a lot, I rarely look at what other families are doing provided it is safe and appropriate.

They might judge you but what can you do? The priority is that your child has fun. My younger sibling has Downs Syndrome. They adore dancing and love dancing either on their own or with peers. At concerts or weddings, etc I know I've been judged for standing to the side, or not dancing with them, when if I do, they just turn around and move away 😂The important thing is that they have a great time.