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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

to leave ten year old twins in a cafe while I swim?

929 replies

justkeepswimminginalake · 03/09/2026 20:45

I’m a single parent to ten year old twins and I was hoping to start open water swimming again. There’s a swimming lake near me which has an onsite cafe and I was thinking about leaving the boys in the cafe by themselves while I swim. We’ve been to the cafe a few times and it’s fairly chilled, mostly swimmers (and their friends/families), young families and old people. It’s also next door to the reception area for the swimming lakes so if they feel uncomfortable there’s somewhere else they can go.

Would I be unreasonable to order them breakfast and a drink and leave them there for half an hour while I swim. They’re generally pretty sensible and I’d pack Yotos with headphones, and some games and books for them to entertain themselves. There’s no one else who can take them.

OP posts:
LittleBearPad · 03/09/2026 20:49

They are too young. Are the staff meant to look after them?

MademoisellePraline · 03/09/2026 20:48

As a fellow mother of twins, not that the number of children is relevant, absolutely the fuck not. What on earth are you thinking????

JacknDiane · 03/09/2026 20:48

Absolutely no way can you leave 2 ten year olds in a cafe while you swim op.

KitsyWitsy · 03/09/2026 20:47

Yes, you would.

Who is supposed to be responsible for them? The staff?

What if you run into trouble swimming?

It's a terrible idea?

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