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Original poster

Would you be happy with this new swimming lesson rule?

109 replies

OnlyFoolsnMothers · 17/12/2021 19:34

Not sure if I’m wrong about this- dd 4 attends a swimming class on sundays, the school has just sent the new rules for the centre given corona virus, near on all are fine: masks, one way systems etc- but they have said parents can’t stay during lessons and must wait in the car/ car park. One issue is that sometimes my child needs the loo midway through a lesson (we always try before class), in which case I take her- and secondly I just don’t feel comfortable not being able to see her. Am I ott ?

OP posts:
MrsJBaptiste · 18/12/2021 09:44

I would have loved this when my two were little! I'd have much preferred sitting on my own in the car instead of sitting by the pool, boiling hot having to avoid chatting to the other parents.

I always feel sorry for swimming teachers having to have parents watch them. We wouldn't watch school teachers, we'd hudtvletvthem get on with their job!

OwlIceCrem · 18/12/2021 09:50

People wee in pools. Rebecca Adlington said on I’m a Celeb that she and all professional swimmers wee in pools. Swim nappies are only designed to hold poo- they let wee straight through. I used to work in pools- the chlorine will kill it all.

OwlIceCrem · 18/12/2021 09:53

Also all these posters saying about wrestling wet costumes off and back on… just pull the gusset to the side 😂 You’re welcome

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HaaaaaveyoumetTed · 18/12/2021 09:54

@OwlIceCrem

Also all these posters saying about wrestling wet costumes off and back on… just pull the gusset to the side 😂 You’re welcome
A 4yo who is holding themselves on an adult size toilet cannot do that effectively by themselves.
iloverunningslow · 18/12/2021 09:54

Having seen the number of dozy lifeguards there are, and witnessed a near drowning event in a swimming lesson which neither the class teacher or lifeguard responded to (teacher from another class did the rescue), there is absolutely not a chance that I would allow my child to swim without me there. We haven't come up against school swimming yet as she's too young but I am absolutely terrified of it, and I think the only thing I can do is teach my children to swim first and to fend off any classmate grabbing them.

MajorCarolDanvers · 18/12/2021 09:57

From age 4/5 parents we were never allowed in for swimming lessons pre-covid. We watched from the cafe or the balcony.

OwlIceCrem · 18/12/2021 10:03

That was advice for adults/ older kids… the four year old should just go in the pool like all the other kids! Not a pleasant thought but trust me it’s absolutely true

Bananarama21 · 18/12/2021 10:05

I'm a swimming teacher at a leisure centre we had the rule one adult to one child which has now relaxed. I would say it's a potential safe guarding issue and they are putting themselves at risk.

Onehotmess · 18/12/2021 10:07

You need to ask to see their current risk assessments and safeguarding policies as this is clearly the issue fir you here. I would HOPE that the pool can alleviate all your concerns with this, but aft r you have had the conversation and seen the documents, you can then decide if it’s suitable for your DD.

HangingOutWithTheSandman · 18/12/2021 10:12

at the pool there are unknown unchecked adults in the changing rooms/ loo area - also an issue with the lock on the door

I think this is a valid concern, it would have bothered me too when my kids were young. That’s why we accompany young children to the toilet in public places like the cinema.
I think at 4 year old my child may have struggled to get a wet swimming costume off and back on to use the toilet.
I would speak to them and see what they suggest. If they can’t help then I would stop the lessons.

2021namechanger · 18/12/2021 10:29

Seriously - kids get out for a wee? In a swimming pool?

Original poster
OnlyFoolsnMothers · 18/12/2021 10:35

@2021namechanger

Seriously - kids get out for a wee? In a swimming pool?
Yep, my daughter has always told us she needs the loo, never even wee’d in her pull up when little over night, she’d rather scream for us at 2am
OP posts:
VitalsStable · 18/12/2021 10:50

I'd just pull her out of the lesson or find one where they let you stay on premises in case you're needed.

DD isn't doing lessons this coming term as it's too bloody cold, dark and stressful to be faffing about trying to put something warm on them when they can't even shower and are cold.

You might be able to find 121 lessons where the rules are less strict and you're allowed to at least take her to the loo when she needs to go. Regardless of what others say do what puts your mind at rest and keeps your child happy and safe.

HeyFloof · 18/12/2021 10:54

No chance would I leave my just turned 5 yo in a swimming lesson by themselves unless in a 1 to 1 lesson, and even then I would prefer to stay.

liveforsummer · 18/12/2021 11:05

Are the toilets not poolside anyway? At my DC's swimming there are life guards as well as swim teachers so any dc not under the swim teachers direct supervision are being watched by those. The teacher would indicate to the guard. Tbh I've never assisted my dc to the toilet even ore covid when watching. Surely though if you take her to the toilet directly before then she will manage 25 minute lesson?

liveforsummer · 18/12/2021 11:08

I'd also hazard a guess that if your Dd has been to the loo just before the lesson then she's asking midway through because she fancies a break and basically because she can. It's far less likely she'll 'need' to go if you aren't there

Original poster
OnlyFoolsnMothers · 18/12/2021 11:13

@liveforsummer

I'd also hazard a guess that if your Dd has been to the loo just before the lesson then she's asking midway through because she fancies a break and basically because she can. It's far less likely she'll 'need' to go if you aren't there
If she has wee’d before the lesson she doesn’t ask to go, if we try and go then nothing happens it’s likely she’ll need once she feels the water. Please do send suggestions for forcing a 4yr old to pee at a set time Hmm fuck me mumnetters are a bizarre bunch some times
OP posts:
liveforsummer · 18/12/2021 11:21

If she hasn't managed then she must have been recently and it's highly unlikely she'll be desperate within the next 25 minutes. If you aren't there she'll likely just hold on. My dc all started lessons at 2 and I've been through years of them. Honestly can't recall ever having to take one to the toilet mid lesson. It wound have been a bit of a faff to actually gain entrance to to the pool side from the viewing area - sometimes I'd see them trotting off themselves but not often. Sometimes I stay and watch, others I'll pop out to the shop or whatever. Never gave it a second thought. Only reason I'd be bothered about this as it's so warm on the viewing balcony which is relaxing and it's half an hour of totally interrupted peace. I look forward to it so hope ours doesn't get banned soon for that reason 😆

Original poster
OnlyFoolsnMothers · 18/12/2021 11:24

@liveforsummer

Are the toilets not poolside anyway? At my DC's swimming there are life guards as well as swim teachers so any dc not under the swim teachers direct supervision are being watched by those. The teacher would indicate to the guard. Tbh I've never assisted my dc to the toilet even ore covid when watching. Surely though if you take her to the toilet directly before then she will manage 25 minute lesson?
Another poster struggling with comprehension. Did you 4 year old get on and off an adult toilet without touching a public loo seat? Did she know how to lock and unlock every door? Could you guarantee no dodgy adults in the vicinity, or could your 4year old decipher a pervert?
OP posts:
liveforsummer · 18/12/2021 11:30

No they probably couldn't just like they probably touch the loo seat when they clamber on and off at school/nursery several times a day. At least at swimming they are heading back in to a chlorine filled pool.

Yea the pool was lessons only like you said of yours - as with yours there is access from
The guys but there are several teachers plus life guard to stop strangers wandering. Have YOU ever seen perverted wandering around while you've been watching your child at lessons.

Why are you getting so angry when you've asked the question and just receiving answers from different opinions (from those who have plenty experience of 4 year olds at swimming lessons) many have said this has been the case at their swimming throughout covid or even pre covid. You said it's only sometimes an issue and it's far less likely she'll choose to go if you aren't there to take her anyway.

HangingOutWithTheSandman · 18/12/2021 11:36

Have YOU ever seen perverted wandering around while you've been watching your child at lessons.

I don’t know. What do perverts look like?

Stupid comment, but other comments you made were also stupid.

liveforsummer · 18/12/2021 11:40

@HangingOutWithTheSandman

Have YOU ever seen perverted wandering around while you've been watching your child at lessons.

I don’t know. What do perverts look like?

Stupid comment, but other comments you made were also stupid.

I know it's a stupid comment. It was in response to OP asking if my 4 year old could decipher a pervert or spot a dodgy adult.
liveforsummer · 18/12/2021 11:42

Also what other comments were stupid? The fact they loads of dd go to lessons that aren't watched by a parent. The fact that a child is less likely to go during a 25 minute time frame if there is no parent to instantly call on? Whats stupid about any of that

DumplingsAndStew · 18/12/2021 11:46

If the pool and leisure centre is open to the public during lesson time, how can they stop parents from being in?

NuffSaidSam · 18/12/2021 11:58

If you don't like it, change her swimming lesson.

But, just be aware that this is policy in lots of places now so you might need to leave swimming lessons for a bit.

I wouldn't expect a 4 year old to go to a swimming pool toilet on their own.

I would expect a four year old (or any potty trained child) to be able to wee 'on demand' and then wait half an hour for their next wee.

The number of people whose children nearly drowned at swimming lessons is alarming and I hope reports were made and the lessons closed down.