Page 9 | Family swimming times - AIBU?

FamilySwimming · 2025-07-17T17:47:10+00:00

Just looking for a sense check on this one. The two local leisure centres only have certain very limited times for family swimming, meaning in the kids' pool. So if I want to take my 2 year old swimming, the only times we can book are between 12 and 2pm. My 2 year old eats lunch at 12 and then has a nap every day. Surely this is pretty standard for any child who has one nap per day? AIBU or is this an absolutely insane time to schedule family swimming? I feel like I just won't be able to take her swimming until she's stopped napping completely. I spoke to them on the phone and they basically said that my toddler's meal and nap schedule isn't their problem, but I was under the impression that this is most toddlers' meal and nap schedule, hence the AIBU.

KeenGreen · 17/07/2025 21:37

From 1-4 years we did a Water Babies swimming lesson at 12pm

He would have breakfast, and a snack about an hour before lesson.

He’d often fall asleep in the car on way home, and I’d get him lunch straight after waking up.

It was once a week, and he coped from the age of 1 with this (earlier than this the lesson was 10.30)

At two I would be surprised you need to be that rigid. You could arrive just before 12 to get changed get in the pool at 12 and still be hope for lunch (or take lunch with you) and nap by 1/1.30 if this is what is needed?

Leapintothelightning · 17/07/2025 21:32

FamilySwimming · 17/07/2025 21:28

It is a rubbish time!

But was the toddler swim hour the only time toddlers could swim, or could they use the pool at other times that weren't specifically designated for toddlers?

Because the issue here is that these are the only times the kids' pool is open for family swimming. The rest of the time the kids' pool is not open to the public, and I don't think anyone would thank me for taking her into the big pool which is divided into lanes for lane swimming.

I honestly think it's really bad that little kids are basically only allowed to use the local pool for a couple of hours a day at lunchtime. It's the council run pool that parents of little kids pay their council tax towards, not a private gym.

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Are you sure there’s no times you can take her into the big pool? Ours is divided into “lane swimming” and “public swimming” times. At the public swimming times, lanes 1&2 are opened up and families use this and then there’s still 3 or 4 lanes for the people that want to do their lengths.

SouthLondonMum22 · 17/07/2025 21:30

That's the exact schedule for my 2 year old as well. He turned 2 back in December and I don't think he's anywhere close to dropping his nap.

It's rarely worth it to attempt to skip it, nap on the run etc so we don't unless for special occasions and swimming wouldn't be one of those things.

DaisyChain505 · 17/07/2025 21:30

A two year old doesn’t need a rigid nap time.

Give them a big snack/half their lunch before swimming and then another big snack/half their lunch after.

Then they can fall asleep.

brunettemic · 17/07/2025 21:28

FamilySwimming · 17/07/2025 21:24

I'm pretty sure it's illegal to employ two year olds in this country.

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I just think it’s odd your DD’s routine is incapable of changing at all, hence when she tried to get her job her precise lunch and nap times are gonna to be problematic.
As it happens…these times are completely your issue and the pool staff are correct in asserting that it’s not their problem.

Original poster

FamilySwimming · 17/07/2025 21:28

littlemousebigcheese · 17/07/2025 21:20

we had similar and they then used it as an excuse to get rid of the toddler swim hour as no one was using it! of course they weren’t, it’s a rubbish time?! do morning between 9-11 or afternoon 1-3?!

It is a rubbish time!

But was the toddler swim hour the only time toddlers could swim, or could they use the pool at other times that weren't specifically designated for toddlers?

Because the issue here is that these are the only times the kids' pool is open for family swimming. The rest of the time the kids' pool is not open to the public, and I don't think anyone would thank me for taking her into the big pool which is divided into lanes for lane swimming.

I honestly think it's really bad that little kids are basically only allowed to use the local pool for a couple of hours a day at lunchtime. It's the council run pool that parents of little kids pay their council tax towards, not a private gym.

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4pmwinetimebebeh · 17/07/2025 21:27

MatildaTheCat · 17/07/2025 18:57

Yanbu. Our pool has adult only swimming between 1-2 which suits a lot of the swimmers. Until 3.30 it’s generally very quiet until the children arrive after school. The majority of toddlers swim in the morning.

It’s not that simple to rearrange a toddler’s schedule. Sure you can switch it around but you’ll likely have a tired, stroppy screamer and literally nobody wants that in the pool.

This. God everyone’s so bloody harsh- yes that’s a ridiculous if the only time toddlers can go. All the talk of entitlement have a word with yourselves she was just asking!
I think limiting anyone to 2 hours a day is harsh. I agree OP!

Original poster

FamilySwimming · 17/07/2025 21:24

brunettemic · 17/07/2025 21:22

What…ever? So for her entire life her routine won’t change for ANYTHING? Job interviews are going to be a HOOT!

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I'm pretty sure it's illegal to employ two year olds in this country.

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brunettemic · 17/07/2025 21:22

FamilySwimming · 17/07/2025 18:50

She won't be able to last that long for either lunch or the nap.

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What…ever? So for her entire life her routine won’t change for ANYTHING? Job interviews are going to be a HOOT!

RareDeer · 17/07/2025 21:21

FamilySwimming · 17/07/2025 21:16

I don't really have an issue with the way they run the nursery.

I did speak to them about whether she necessarily needed to have such a long nap not long ago, because she isn't a great sleeper at night and I wondered whether capping or dropping the nap might help. But they said she can't be in the main room during nap time because the staff rotate on their lunch breaks and they have to have the ones who are on duty in the nap room to maintain the required ratio.

They suggested that if it's really an issue they might be able to send her into the baby room for a bit, so I said I'd see how things go when she was at home for two weeks, but she's been telling me she wants to go for her nap as soon as lunch is done so I think she probably does still need it.

I get what you mean about children's rhythms being different and the one size fits all approach not working for all of them but I think there are so many benefits to nursery on the whole I'm not going to get worked up about it.

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That’s fair enough, if it doesn’t bother you that’s grand, that’s simply my opinion on the rigidity of such nurseries. But if it’s working for you that’s great. As long as when a problem arises they are willing to adapt and change, that’s all you can ask for.

TheNinkyNonkyIsATardis · 17/07/2025 21:20

FamilySwimming · 17/07/2025 21:11

I mean it's not worth dealing with the fall out of skipping her nap for the sake of a one hour swim.

The point about it being council run is that they should be making an effort to make it accessible to everyone.

But you have no idea how many people they are trying to accommodate - and I have plenty of friends with toddlers who would use that session, their 20m old nap later, or will happily eat in the car, fall asleep and get lumped into the cot when they get home.

My son isn't like that, and I don't think it's worth it to try to make him that way for a swim either.

But you're being ridiculous now - under 1s are usually able to swim in that period, some 2yo will manage it with budging around, 3yo probably nap later, and 4yo will be fine.

The "everyone" you're referring to is really you!

littlemousebigcheese · 17/07/2025 21:20

we had similar and they then used it as an excuse to get rid of the toddler swim hour as no one was using it! of course they weren’t, it’s a rubbish time?! do morning between 9-11 or afternoon 1-3?!

Original poster

FamilySwimming · 17/07/2025 21:19

MiddleAgedDread · 17/07/2025 21:14

I’ll swap you, the only time kids aren’t allowed in the pool at mine is between 12-2!!

Is it just one pool for everyone? If so then it kind of makes sense to have an adults swimming session at lunchtime for people who go in their lunch break.

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Original poster

FamilySwimming · 17/07/2025 21:16

RareDeer · 17/07/2025 20:20

Things so frustrating. I hate nurseries who do this. All because they want a bit of a break. My son wouldn’t have slept at night if he had been napping regularly at that age, any time he napped he’d be awake till 9 or 10. Kids are all individual, they aren’t robots, and it drives me crazy when childcare settings treat them so.

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I don't really have an issue with the way they run the nursery.

I did speak to them about whether she necessarily needed to have such a long nap not long ago, because she isn't a great sleeper at night and I wondered whether capping or dropping the nap might help. But they said she can't be in the main room during nap time because the staff rotate on their lunch breaks and they have to have the ones who are on duty in the nap room to maintain the required ratio.

They suggested that if it's really an issue they might be able to send her into the baby room for a bit, so I said I'd see how things go when she was at home for two weeks, but she's been telling me she wants to go for her nap as soon as lunch is done so I think she probably does still need it.

I get what you mean about children's rhythms being different and the one size fits all approach not working for all of them but I think there are so many benefits to nursery on the whole I'm not going to get worked up about it.

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MiddleAgedDread · 17/07/2025 21:14

I’ll swap you, the only time kids aren’t allowed in the pool at mine is between 12-2!!

PeapodMcgee · 17/07/2025 21:13

They run at a loss, invariably. They need to limit their losses so will provide whatever brings in the most money.

HauntedMarshmallow · 17/07/2025 21:13

It was the leisure centre’s fault, then it was old people’s fault, now it’s SAHM’s fault. It couldn’t possibly be a case of changing your own behaviour and dealing with a slightly over tired child later on.

Original poster

FamilySwimming · 17/07/2025 21:11

I mean it's not worth dealing with the fall out of skipping her nap for the sake of a one hour swim.

The point about it being council run is that they should be making an effort to make it accessible to everyone.

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JayJayEl · 17/07/2025 21:08

FamilySwimming · 17/07/2025 19:48

It's quite odd that you assume this is my first baby. I know perfectly well this stage doesn't last forever because I also have a four year old. I just think it's a bit of a shame that I have to wait until my toddler is no longer a toddler before we can go to the only swimming sessions for toddlers at the local pool.

I rang them to check whether it was actually the case that toddlers can only swim at lunchtime because I thought I must have misunderstood the website but unfortunately it turned out to be true.

We aren't actually particularly inflexible and we will let the routine go to pot for a big day out or something, but we do pay the price later, and for a one hour swimming slot at the local council leisure centre it's just not worth it.

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But...the slot is two hours long. So have lunch a little earlier, then nap, then swimming. Or have lunch, then swim, then nap. Or swim, then lunch, then nap. It's hardly a massive change to your routine if it's something you really want to do.
And you keep saying "the local council leisure centre" and "isn't worth it" like you're not really a fan of the pool anyway. In which case, what's the issue?

WimbyAce · 17/07/2025 21:06

Maybe wait til naps are done as shouldn't be long. Eldest stopped at about 20 months and youngest just after 2. Makes things much more flexible then.

Original poster

FamilySwimming · 17/07/2025 21:05

JLou08 · 17/07/2025 21:03

I had the same issue at my leisure centre except is was 12-1. It was in online booking system that showed spaces available and there were always loads of spaces. The leisure centre was on the brink of closing and needed extra funding from government grants to keep open so I did contact them to share that most toddlers are having lunch at that time so that will be why they don't make any money on the session. They still didn't change it.

Helpful to know I'm not the only one who has had this issue.

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Original poster

FamilySwimming · 17/07/2025 21:03

user1476613140 · 17/07/2025 20:58

Feed your 2yo at 11. Swim at 12. Your 2yo will be tired out and nod off.

I used to be flexible with routines. But I have 4 DC so you learn as you go.

Yeah, she'll nod off in the car, have a 15 minute nap and then be a horrible gremlin for the rest of the day.

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JLou08 · 17/07/2025 21:03

I had the same issue at my leisure centre except is was 12-1. It was in online booking system that showed spaces available and there were always loads of spaces. The leisure centre was on the brink of closing and needed extra funding from government grants to keep open so I did contact them to share that most toddlers are having lunch at that time so that will be why they don't make any money on the session. They still didn't change it.

Hedgehogbrown · 17/07/2025 21:03

2 years Olds have all sorts of different nap times, but my child would definitely be asleep during that time. It's bonkers that they restrict kids to that small amount of time. They are supposed to provide a service for everyone. If it's a kids pool it should be for kids all the time. I would definitely write them an email. If people don't complain, they never know it's an issue. They might be using it for swim lessons, but if so, they can still rope off a corner for free play. That's what my pool does.

Original poster

FamilySwimming · 17/07/2025 21:02

dijonketchup · 17/07/2025 20:52

Wild that so many people think you are unreasonable here OP. I guess it’s old fashioned to have set times to do things, as if most toddlers don’t flourish with predictable routines of very regular food/sleep, or something.

These must be the parents I see at library story time at 11am cracking out the toddler snacks on the library carpet then letting their kids touch the books. Your 2yo can last one whole hour without food, in a LIBRARY!

Yes I am old and grumpy and they should have a family swim at a time that’s not lunchtime.

I'm actually wondering whether this is a SAHM thing.

Children who don't go to nursery five days a week probably do have more flexible routines. Unfortunately mine doesn't, and it's just a shame that during a rare week where I'm actually at home with her and would like to take her swimming, the only family swim sessions are at stupid times.

Toddler snacks in the library is just grim.

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