Please or to access all these features

Add post

Watch this thread

Save thread

Start a new thread

Flip thread

Hide thread

My feed

Active Unanswered threads

Getting started FAQ's

Unanswered threads Acronyms Talk guidelines

Hide shortcut buttons

Talk

Chat

Join the discussion and chat with other Mumsnetters about everyday life, relationships and parenting.

Flip

1 2 3

Original poster

Best swimming aids

64 replies

elliejjtiny · 20/03/2023 13:33

3 dc have been invited to a swimming party in a 25 metre normal pool with no slides/wave machine etc but there is an inflatable. Dh is working away and I can't go in the pool because AF is visiting. But it's ok as my dad volunteers to take them. Dc are so excited and the birthday child is all hyped up etc. Then I find out that no other parents are going in the pool, just my dad. Not even the birthday child's parents. I'm a bit uneasy about this tbh but they are so excited I feel really mean about backing out at this point. So does anyone recommend what kind of thing to send them with like arm bands etc for my own peace of mind? I've seen children wear things that look a bit like a life jacket, are they any good? Youngest can't swim, middle one can swim about 5 metres and eldest regularly swims in the river so not worried about him, just the 2 younger ones. I know realistically they will be fine and there are loads of parents who take 3 dc with only one who can swim all the time.

OP posts:

B0g · 21/03/2023 17:23

‘Hi ABC, thank you for inviting the kids to the pool party, unfortunately my kids can’t swim, so can’t attend.’ It’d obviously be a terrible idea and recipe for disaster, with the floatation device making it extra dangerous. A no-brainer.

Original poster

elliejjtiny · 22/03/2023 08:48

Thank you. I talked to someone at the pool and they said that as long as they are 8 or older (which my youngest just about is) then they can go in the pool without an adult (over my dead body) but an adult can go in with them if I want. Not being able to swim doesn't matter apparently .

I'm not too worried about the embarrassment side of things as we only know the birthday child as I have been friends with the mum since before children and the other guests are all friends of the birthday child from school, clubs etc. In youngest's class at school about half of them can swim and half can't. Middle child is in a class where most of them can swim now but there are still a couple of non swimmers and another couple who can only swim a few strokes.

OP posts:

Blondeshavemorefun · 22/03/2023 09:38

Guess they think most children can swim by 8yrs

But that obv only happens if they get taken on holidays or parents pay for swimming lessons

I do think swimming is one of the life skills all children need to be taught

Yes lovely doing gym ballet football etc but swimming is life essential

Sugarfree23 · 22/03/2023 09:53

Most pools have the rule 8 plus don't need adult supervision. Not all adults can swim.
Pools normally also have a 'no non-swimmers beyond this point' which is normally where its too deep for the average 8yo to stand.

But a knock on effect from covid and the difficulty in getting kids into swimming lessons lots of 8yos probably can't swim that well.

WandaWonder · 22/03/2023 10:00

They are all toys they are not lifesaving equipment!!!!!!!

Original poster

elliejjtiny · 27/03/2023 13:30

Just an update that I have spoken to the mum and said we aren't going. She was fine with it although probably thinks I'm totally over protective.

OP posts:

B0g · 27/03/2023 13:49

she’d be incorrect, then. ‘Your kid is invited to a children-flying-airliners party’ ‘sorry, my child cannot fly aeroplanes, he can’t attend.’ - not overprotective, just basic safety. Same for swimming and other dangerous activities.

Badbudgeter · 27/03/2023 14:03

Are you sure they will be allowed in as non swimmers? Our pool about the same size does a giant inflatable. All kids need to be 8+ and pass a quick swim test. Jump in at deep end swim to other side and back. No buoyancy aids. Parents aren’t allowed.

I would say they are really well run and safe. It’s limited to 20 children and there are four lifeguards when there would normally just be one.

Badbudgeter · 27/03/2023 14:05

Ah sorry just realised you’d declined already.

PlainSkyr · 27/03/2023 14:09

Last summer we were at an 8th birthday pool party. Wasn't too deep but the DC couldn't stand on the pool floor - so a bit more than their height. All the DC are competent swimmers and swim together at school. All go in and splash about competently. There were no inflatables/any kind of dangers. But one DC looked uncomfortable and instantly an adult standing nearby jumped in and got them out.

There is no room for error in these situations. You can't send your DC to this party unless they are good swimmers or you are personally in the pool to manage their safety.

PlainSkyr · 27/03/2023 14:13

Just realised you've declined - good decision.

Blondeshavemorefun · 31/03/2023 13:41

Shame mum said that but you are correct in declining

Original poster

elliejjtiny · 02/04/2023 08:40

The party has been and gone. The dc had a bit of a whinge when they realised they had missed it but haven't mentioned it since then. Not nearly as bad as I thought.

OP posts:

ParkrunPlodder · 02/04/2023 09:15

Someone had a pool party for their child who was a competent swimmer but loads of the class weren’t as it was just after lockdown and hadn’t been swimming for near enough 2 years. I said yes to going saying that I would have to go in too. It was at a very small private pool which restricted numbers so no parents allowed in too. Half the invites felt they had to pull out as didn’t feel their children would be safe. No lifeguards at all. I am overly cautious and have to bite my tongue all the time so I don’t let it impact the kids. Swimming is one area that I always go with my feelings. You can’t be too careful.

Flip

1 2 3