Taking two kids under 6 swimming

[mealychump]

DS's are 5.5 and 2.5

We have recently joined a local swimming pool. It's a great pool for learning to swim in as it's quite deep. DS1 can't stand up in it so it encourages him to actually swim properly rather than just muck about.

So far we've only taken both kids when DH has been home as we've only taken them at weekends.

I'd like to take them both tomorrow but DH doesn't think I should. I can see his point but wanted to get some other opinions.

DS 1 has been having swimming lessons for over a year. He's confident in the water and can swim a few m without any aids. Generally he just has a woggle and that's plenty.

DS2 is again fairly confident (maybe too confident!) But has a flotation vest and armbands. In the pool I don't need to hold onto him constantly but obviously he is very close by at all times.

Would you take them swimming alone or would you side with my DH. His main concern is that the pool is too deep to stand in so although DS1 seems safe he could get into trouble v easily and keeping an eye on them both would be hard.

My argument is that generally both are fine and have never got into trouble before under our supervision. DS1 is confident enough to swim a few m alone but he's also cautious so would be unlikely to let go of the woggle at all. He's not a risk taker.

Also there is a lifeguard.

What would you do? Swim or not swim?

I started taking mine together when they were about this age, but only to a pool where they can touch the bottom. They are nearly 4 and 6.5 now, and I wouldn't take them to a pool where my 6.5yo couldn't touch the bottom, as she'd be grabbing me constantly, even though she can swim 50m she gets very silly in water! It wouldn't be any fun if she couldn't reach the bottom.

Well yes if you manage to lose a child while talking about the other child's lesson being cancelled. This poster is planning to take both children swimming on purpose. Obviously she needs to look out for them both.

Not to be goady but... what do you think single parents do ??

i just wouldn't with only one pair of hands. it makes me feel funny to think about it. but then my oldest is only 2.5 maybe i'd feel differently if he was a bit older.

I was widowed when my DD1was 2 years old and DD2 was a baby.
I had to take them swimming by myself or they could never have gone at all!
We managed fine with armbands. I’m not a hugely confident swimmer myself, but I took them regularly when the pool was almost empty and the lifeguards could keep us under close watch.

Under fives will be 1-1 and under 8s 1-2 so I doubt you will be able to go.

Iloveicedtea

I imagine a single parent probably wouldn't join the pool we are members of because it's not as straightforward as taking two kids to a more traditional pool with a proper shallow end.

I've taken them both before to local pools which are shallower. My DH's only issue is the depth.

OP, have you checked the pool's website to see what the rules are?

I agree with everything you have said and would feel happy taking two of mine, who are younger and also non swimmers. My pool’s ratio is 1:2 for children under eight. However, based on your DH’s concerns I would see if you can find a different pool to accommodate his concerns.

Mine are 3 and 4 and cant swim a width independently yet so I would never take them alone together. One of the disadvantages of a small age gap, they are both having lessons so maybe once they are more capable I'd do it. It's a catch 22 though as they cant get more confident without practice and we cant practice as DH wont come to the pool.

My pool has a 1:1 ratio for under 4s so I couldn't take my dc together until they were 4 and 6.

If the ratio allows, I'd take them, both in armbands.

My mum used to take 3 of us on her own. Would have been for example 2, 4.5 and 6. I have one child and find it a bit stressful although haven't been enough times to get fully used to it. I would struggle with two but you have to get on with life if you want to do this kind of thing, I am sure you will get used to it and enjoy it 🙂

Most pools operate a under 8 years 1:1 policy

I would never risk as drowning is one of the major causes of death in under 18's.

Depends on the pool. I couldn't take my 3 swimming by myself until the oldest was 8. I did take the youngest two by myself when I was pregnant with my third, they would have been 3 and 2; it wasn't any fun for any of us but I'm not the most relaxed in water.

I went by myself when dd1 at 5.5 dd2 was 2.5 and 8 months pregnant with ds.. it was fine. Def can't do it now ds isn't contained in my womb. 🤣

Our pool is also a 1:1 ratio under 10 I believe. Have you checked with the pool it's ok?

No I wouldn’t. It’s just not fun!

Even when taking 2 adults and 3 DC as in my family, there is still plenty of times when 1 adult has 2 children, for instance one needing the toilet or wanting to go on slides. 1:1 ratio isn’t practical for most families, you can’t just avoid pools until all children are over 8.

Mine had floaty zip up jackets from decathlon instead of armbands. 15 months between them and we went swimming multiple times a week from about 2&3 maybe younger. Never a problem. They liked jumping in the deep end and out the steps and I trod water got an hour. Everyone happy.

This kind of thing. Much better for actual swimming than armbands and helps them stay warm.
https://www.google.fr/aclk?sa=L&ai=DChcSEwj18am49dvnAhVZmdUKHcEHA-8YABALGgJ3cw&sig=AOD640Qst1rwOjSArCOO_LjiHjAZRspqtw&ctype=5&q=&ved=2ahUKEwj1vKG49dvnAhVSzRoKHU3PA1EQwg96BAgIECg&adurl=

Yes of course! Otherwise my kids would only get swimming as a family every second month. It sounds like my local pool and I've taken both my kids alone since they were 8weeks old and 3years. The worst part of swimming with young children is the changing room afterwards!

We used to go to a similar pool, and it was 1-1 for under5s. It's different in pools where they can stand up.

We often used to gen end of afternoon Sunday and then shower and into pjs. Great way to get ahead of the game.

With armbands on the big one and life jacket on the little one I'd do it. They would then have to try to kill themselves!

You need to check the rules of your pool.

I wouldn't to a pool where my eldest couldn't reach the bottom at any point. There's no area where you can go to chill out in a shallow bit where the eldest can paddle around. Your eldest has to be swimming all the time or holding onto the edge (while also holding onto their pool noodle?).