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AIBU?

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Aibu to expect ex to shower DC after swimming?

136 replies

Sprogonthetyne · 23/11/2025 18:29

Before I raise it with him, just checking if this falls into 'different parenting' or if it's a resonable objection. He sees the kids two Sundays a month and quite often takes them swimming, the children enjoy it, so all good there. However I'm getting increasingly annoyed that DS is coming back smelling of chlorine, which means I need to fit baths into the already quiet rushed tea, homework, bed routine after they get back.

If I take them swimming I always take shampoo and shower the kids as soon as they get out, so to me it's just part and parcel of taking kids swimming. I'd never leave chlorine on myself, as I don't want dry skin or damaged hair, so it wouldn't occur to me not to do the same for the kids. However he doesn't seem to see it a necessary.

I have raised this before, but with enthuses on DD, who has long, curly, tangle prone hair, so the previous conversation focused on how tangled he her was getting from been left to dry with chlorine in it, and that it wasn't fair to her to not wash and brush it after swimming. I thought this would be enough to prompt him to just put shampoo in the swim bag, but instead he has started taking them back to his flat and washing DD's hair there (well I expect his mum does it), but still just leaving DS unwashed.

Is this worth raising again? It feels like I'm picking fault but at the same time it's really basic parenting that he should be able to do.

OP posts:
Hereforthecommentz · 23/11/2025 18:41

It is really busy after? Ours is like a cattle farm in the showers after swim lessons. I don't want to wait around whilst he's getting cold. My son also much prefers to have a bath, so he gets dressed and has a bath when he gets home. I don't think it's a big issue.

Elektra1 · 23/11/2025 18:39

I never shower my child after swimming and always give her a bath and hair wash at home that evening instead. Partly this is because she doesn’t really like showers, but also, bathtime is part of her bedtime routine anyway

Tryingatleast · 23/11/2025 18:38

Different perspective here, everyone hogs the showers giving actual showers at swim time, once or twice the lifeguards have even come over to tell people they’re going to have to move on. Mine have a proper shower when they get home

WildLeader · 23/11/2025 18:38

SomeMoreSummer · 23/11/2025 18:32

I never wash my kids hair after swimming, lessons or family swim. The leisure centres here are all a bit gritty so we rinse off the chlorine quickly (no soap or shampoo). And then have a proper bath or shower at bedtime. I consider myself a good parent.

Chlorine bonds to the hair. It builds up unless removed. If you’re just rinsing, that’s not enough. You need clarifying shampoo, anti chlorine shampoo to remove the chemicals from the hair and the person. In the time it takes to “rinse” the kids, you could whack on some clarifying shampoo and it would do the job.

I used to use normal shampoo immediately after swimming and it built up so it was like straw, no amount of moisturiser or conditioner could get through it. It was crunchy

my hairdresser realised what was going on and recommended me a clarifying shampoo, changed everything the first week.

Fidgety31 · 23/11/2025 18:37

It’s gross not to shower after swimming - pools are pretty grim places !

Sprogonthetyne · 23/11/2025 18:34

Wildchild60s · 23/11/2025 18:31

How old are the children?

DS is 9, DD is 6
The 9yo would happily wash his own hair, but needs the shampoo to be provided and taken to the pool. The 6yo does need help with hair washing and brushing.

OP posts:
WildLeader · 23/11/2025 18:33

Raise it! As a swimmer my first priority is to get that infernal chlorine off me

make sure she has chlorine removing shampoo

youre going to have to tell him that BOTH kids need showering after swimming asap as that stuff sticks and damages skin/hair.

meeee13 · 23/11/2025 18:33

Different parenting.

I’d always shower after swimming but know a lot of parents will just rinse the kids off and leave it until the evening routine. Most schools don’t bother either.

SomeMoreSummer · 23/11/2025 18:32

I never wash my kids hair after swimming, lessons or family swim. The leisure centres here are all a bit gritty so we rinse off the chlorine quickly (no soap or shampoo). And then have a proper bath or shower at bedtime. I consider myself a good parent.

CakeIsNotAvailable · 23/11/2025 18:31

I think this is a parenting difference rather than a safeguarding issue. By all means raise it politely, but I wouldn't stop contact over it or let it escalate into a big argument.

Wildchild60s · 23/11/2025 18:31

How old are the children?