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Original poster

Swimming party at 5?

20 replies

ElspethFlashman · 23/11/2019 15:41

Just canvassing opinions really. DS has been invited to a swimming party. They are all (just) 5. Only in school since Sept.

The invite says it'll be supervised and swimming costumes required for kids only.

I guess that means parents don't have to go into the water?

I know the pool and tbh the kiddie pool is shallow enough by the steps, but it gets too deep for him quite quickly. It's probably more suitable for 8+ at the other end.

I'm not sure how it would even work tbh. Maybe the shallow end would be roped off for them I don't know, but DS is definitely not confident in the water. He enjoys it, but is nervous in general and we need to be holding him at all times.

I'm inclined to think they're too young for it, but what does MN think?

OP posts:

Sirzy · 23/11/2019 15:42

Way too young imo

Floralnomad · 23/11/2019 15:44

The parents have probably got enough adults to supervise from family / friends , I doubt they would mind you going in but probably haven’t put it on the invite as it would put a lot of people off accepting the invite if they felt they had to don a costume .

HotDogGuy · 23/11/2019 15:44

Mine would have been ok at that age so but I would not have had a party as no idea whether his friends would be ok without a parent

Wolfff · 23/11/2019 15:44

Maybe check out the pool’s website or better still give them a call and and see what they say re parties. I am sure about 7-8 was the lower age limit in my day. Personally unless the pool is very shallow I don’t think it would be much fun.

piesforever · 23/11/2019 15:46

Go in with them at that age, they love it but often a bit scared without parents

Original poster

ElspethFlashman · 23/11/2019 15:47

Floral I don't want to go in! I've only met the Mum before (at last years party, which was soft play) and she's GORGEOUS. I'd feel fat and bleeeugh.

OP posts:

TulipCat · 23/11/2019 15:47

I think a swimming party is better suited to 8+ really. If I were you I think I'd be "busy" that day and politely decline.

cocoabasher · 23/11/2019 16:04

No way I would let my 5 year old go I'm afraid.

happypotamus · 23/11/2019 16:25

I took DD1 to a couple of swimming pool parties when her friends turned 5, and all of them required a parent to go in the pool. The ratio to take 5 year olds swimming is usually 1 adult to 2 children, so maybe the family know enough adults who are willing to supervise depending on how many kids are invited. Maybe ask her how it will work and say you are asking because your DC is not confident in the water and you are not sure whether he should attend.

LER83 · 23/11/2019 16:27

My dd has been invited to a swimming party next weekend. She is 7, the birthday girl is turning 8. From what I've read on the pool website under 8's need to be supervised with adults in the water, so as it isn't mentioned on the invite, I'm guessing the girls parents and some volunteers are going to be in the pool?! My dd is an ok swimmer, but if she wasn't I don't think I would let her go.

FrostythefeckinSnowman · 23/11/2019 16:28

Unless your DS is confident in the water, I wouldn’t accept the invite. My DGS at that age would be fine but not my DS.

Dandelion1993 · 23/11/2019 16:32

My dd was 6 in September and went to a swimming party a few weeks ago. She loved it.

They had loads of adults in there, three life guards around and parents sat to watch.

BarbaraStrozzi · 23/11/2019 16:37

Too young. I wouldn't accept. (I'm surprised the pool allow it if it's an informal think organised by the birthday child's mum and her mates rather than by trained Life guards).

Original poster

ElspethFlashman · 23/11/2019 16:40

They don't have any extended family, as they're Polish so I suspect just the 2 parents and then some teen pool attendants.

I think I'll decline tbh. So much hassle even in the changing room! And in December!

OP posts:

billybagpuss · 23/11/2019 16:41

We had one at that age, the class were mostly all very keen and competent swimmers but I put parents to go in with too but spare adults were available for ratios if they didn't want to. We had no declines.

Bluewavescrashing · 23/11/2019 16:43

Worst party my DD was ever invited to was a pool party. I had to get in. The noise, the rank changing room, the heat and simultaneously freezing water. Urgh.

Waxonwaxoff0 · 23/11/2019 16:45

My DS went to a swimming party at 5. It was fine, it was in the baby pool so the water was only up to their waists. They had lifeguards supervising, some parents went in but I didn't. I watched from the side.

OrangeBuddha · 23/11/2019 18:46

I've done this mistake & really wish I'd never accepted! I didn't get into the water as the deep end was roped off but even the shallow end was too much for DD. The noise was so much that I couldn't call out to any adults in the water to help her. It was all too much & I never again accepted a pool invite. I think 8-9+ only and if water confident.

The biggest issue is there are too many kids and too much chaos/noise for anyone to notice if a child is in trouble or going under. It's not worth the risk/stress at all!

Bluewavescrashing · 23/11/2019 18:49

Just watch the Motherland episode where Julia takes her kids to a swimming party... That will put you off for life!

WaningGibbous · 23/11/2019 19:00

Even if they have the correct ratios of adults in the pools, they won't be adults your DC know and they won't know your DC's "I'm drowning here" face. I've cried off parties at that age before. It's a nice idea but the risk is quite high.

I've also gone in the water - except the party swimmers were allocated one big communal changing area which was one hell of a shock to me and DC s friends dad who was also going in the water. The Saturday teenager on duty didn't quite see the issue and didn't want to let us out to find separate changing....

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