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?

Just take them there are 2.5 years between my kids. Admitly it was a long time ago but l took them both swimming when you get was a year. What's a single mum supposed to do.

Our pool's rule is 1:1 for under four and 2:1 4-8years. I was unable to take my two swimming when they one was still under 4 despite them both being very strong swimmers

And the fact I was a single parent with no alternative did not make them change their minds....

Would the pool even let you, ours is 1:1 for under 3's, and if you're members they presumably have the DC dates of birth.

I was happy to take both of mine solo once DS1 could stand comfortably through the training pool and had DS2 in a floating vest, the pool was 0.9 and they were about 2&4.

We now use the sub-divided part of the main pool which is 1m-1.2m which is just out of depth in the deeper end for DS2 (6). DS1 (9) is now confident with lengths in deep water. DS2 is getting confident with widths and has a decent sense of where his safe zone is, and decent swim power to return to it.

The lengths section is 1.4, so just comfortable for me to stand in, I only take DS1 in there. While he can swim a couple of hundred metres comfortably, I support him while he rests as it's better recovery than clinging to the bar.

There's a pool we used on holiday which first time round, DS1 was slightly short for and managed with a woggle and DS2 in the jacket, but that was with both of us supervising. Doing it solo, I'd have wanted a second vest.

Pools will have their own ratios and some seem to be tightening up on younger children which is frequently unfeasable for a parent on their own with a pair of siblings.
(I've never known 1:1 for up to 8 though- that would have scuppered swimming lessons for y3 with 1 instructor + lifeguard supervising over 15 7-8 yos swimming 25m lengths!)

Mine are the same age and I take them on my own regularly but insist the little one wears arm bands even though in lessons// if dh is there too he’ll do bits without armbands. I’d be less confident on my own in a pool with lots of slides etc as not as easy to keep them close.

I regularly take four of mine swimming by myself - they are 5, 3, and 2 x 6 months.
The older ones don’t wear floatation devices because I believe they give a false sense of security. They know their own limitations and have fun splashing around.

The two younger ones float about in one of those twin floaty things, happy as Larry and in warm wet suits.
It’s a whole afternoon activity because it takes ages to get everyone dressed/undressed.

It’s a private gym thought, I had to join one to get round the ratios problem.

I take my 4 and 2 year old on my own. My 4 year old can swim 50m, but get tired after about 20 mins in the pool as can’t stand up. I then pop on her thin back float. My 2year old is very confident in his float vest, I’ve just started him on his sharks Finn once my DD has her float on.