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Original poster

Kids invited to stay with relatives with unfenced swimming pool... wwyd?

69 replies

SkaterGrrrrl · 12/05/2019 20:52

I just feel so uneasy about this! Very close, very dear relatives have invited the kids to sleepover. They have a swimming pool with no fence around it. DC1 can swim, DC2 cannot (despite weekly lessons- they will get there eventually!) Relatives assure us they will supervise, but I'm just getting a 'no' feeling about DC2 around that pool. What would you do?

OP posts:
Sobeyondthehills · 13/05/2019 04:11

My DS is 7 and a fairly sensible child, however near water he is not to be trusted, my sister took him away to the seaside, she blinked and he was in the sea fully dressed having a whale of a time.

Another example is today, I went to the toilet, he was busy, the next thing I know is the front door click shut.

He had left me a note saying he needed some fresh air, he is sometimes too independent with not the sense that goes along with it

0DimSumMum0 · 13/05/2019 04:17

No! He's going to definitely want to copy his brother and do what his brother is doing. I would be uneasy like you.

flumpybear · 13/05/2019 06:05

Why don't you stay there too?

It would worry me to be honest. We stayed in a villa last year and the rules were no swimming if no adult there (albeit almost always was an adult by the pool, kids easily forget this.

Them being in the pool I'm sure they'd watch the children as it's hard not to unless the pool is massive?!

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ContessaIsOnADietDammit · 13/05/2019 06:27

I would say a flat no. Unfortunately I get taken seriously immediately on issues like this, as I had a young relative who drowned in an unmonitored pool. It shouldn't be necessary for me to cite him to get taken seriously, but I suspect that experience 'helps'.

Please just say no, OP.

Awwlookatmybabyspider · 13/05/2019 06:53

No not a chance. Its not about trusting or not trusting people. Even the most vigliant person can't keep watch on the 24/7. It only takes a split second for heaven forbid something to go wrong

AnyFucker · 13/05/2019 06:56

All the nopes

user1474894224 · 13/05/2019 07:01

I took my 3 to stay where there was an unfenced pool last summer. (6, 8 and 10). I was there. They were not allowed in the pool unsupervised. And I didn't let mine in the garden unless I was at the back of the house and able to see them in the garden. Would I have left them there or let my parents take them? No way. Too dangerous. With me there it was all down to me and my risk.

Moreisnnogedag · 13/05/2019 07:02

The fence or not to me isn’t the issue it is the lack of trust. My dad I would trust 100% to keep my children safe anywhere near water and to help the kids if they weren’t with us. Even with our own two dc, they only both go in the water if both myself and dh are in there with them and we can keep an eye on one each.

I’d decline.

littlecabbage · 13/05/2019 07:06

No way. There is no benefit of this sleepover that is worth risking their lives for by allowing them to swim with people whom you don't 100% trust to supervise properly and at all times.

BumblingAlongNow · 13/05/2019 07:16

No way.
I don’t like being on holiday myself at a villa with an unfenced pool, even when I am there to supervise. It just takes a moment. My son fell in in front of my eyes on our last holiday. We were right there so fished him out right away but what if we had popped in to go to the loo or something (shudder). I am a very strong swimmer myself and with that comes a respect and fear for water, especially with young kids. Trying to swim fully clothed is very different to swimming in a swimsuit or wetsuit or buoyancy aid and many accidents happen when children slip in whilst clothed.

jacksonmaine · 13/05/2019 07:19

No chance.

PlatypusLeague · 13/05/2019 07:23

Definitely not.

IAmNotAWitch · 13/05/2019 07:30

8 maybe (and only after I had put the fear of God into them about going near the pool without an adult). 6 not a chance.

I am Australian though so spend my summers hearing about all the dead and brain damaged children who ended up in backyard swimming pools.

Sculpin · 13/05/2019 07:31

If you're worried about supervision when they're in the pool can't you insist that he wears arm bands for any swimming? As for falling in when they're not swimming, is the pool covered when not in use?

Most UK pools aren't fenced so I don't think that in itself implies a lack of care.

BakedBeeeen · 13/05/2019 07:47

They can't stand up in the shallow end? It would be a no from me!

YesimstillwatchingNetflix · 13/05/2019 07:58

Having an unfenced pool is wildly irresponsible. That would be a hard no from me.

CarolDanvers · 13/05/2019 07:59

Nope.

Original poster
SkaterGrrrrl · 13/05/2019 08:58

Thank you so much for your answers. I really appreciate it. Liked the suggestion that we let the oldest DC go and keep the little one back a year.

OP posts:
wellballstoyou · 13/05/2019 09:25

be a no from me too.

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