Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. A phone that grows with your child.

Meet the Other Phone.
A phone that grows with your child.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Children Swimming in the Sea in February!

82 replies

Beccatheboo · 17/02/2012 19:42

Today I witnessed a mum and dad letting their two young children (probably about 8 and 10 years old) swim in the North Sea - one clad in a bikini! Yes, it was relatively mild today, but the water was freezing (I tested it with my hand). The parents were wearing thick coats and the mum even had on a woolly hat. They only had one hand towel for the girls and they encouraged them to run around for ages only in their swimming costumes. AIBU to think that's crazy?! I'm all for experiences and 'toughening up' children, but I think that was irresponsible. Children are less able to regulate their body temperature.

OP posts:
sommewhereelse · 17/02/2012 20:06

Constance, that makes sense about the surrounding temp affecting children more than it affect adults.

But surely 8 and 10 yr olds know whether they feel too cold or too hot?

aquashiv · 17/02/2012 20:07

Sort of thing mine would do if we were at the beach and the sort of thing I would let them do too - what the worst that could happen they get cold?

PavlovtheCat · 17/02/2012 20:08

It takes wild horses to stop dd going into the sea, fully clothed, aged 5. At least if she had her swimsuit on and not her coat hat and gloves it is easier to dry her off and get her warm with a mug f hot chocolate afterwards. I personally prefer my winter wetsuit of such occasions as I am a wimp.

ReduceRecycleRegift · 17/02/2012 20:08

but then they've got their speedy metabolisms to make up for it, I never felt the cold in the sea as a child, and I'ld stay in for AAAAAGES! (come out for food, then clock watch through the 1 hr post food thing till I could go back in)

but am a bit of a wimp now

DeWe · 17/02/2012 20:13

I'd have happily done it at that age. Nowadays I shiver in July. Grin

Original poster
Beccatheboo · 17/02/2012 20:15

Constance - they were properly swimming. I think I paid more attention because it wasn't a quick swim (or dip the toes in) then out into a big snuggly towel. They were playing on the beach for ages in just their swimming costumes. (I noticed, when I walked past, their skin was covered in big red botches.) I think the parents (for the sake of their health) should have encouraged the children to get dressed. Reading some responses, perhaps I could be seen as wrapping my own children in cotton wool. I personally think there's a line between allowing children freedom and exposing them to dangerous situations.

Sure, none of my business and I'm sure the girls had fun, but IMO parents are there to provide parameters.

OP posts:
skirt · 17/02/2012 20:17

I sit in the beach hut with a hot water bottle shoved up my jumper and I yell down to the kids - whaddya mean you are cold, there's kids in Bradford who have never seen the sea :)

bibbitybobbityhat · 17/02/2012 20:21

I absolutely would not allow my dc to swim in the north sea in February and to tell the absolute truth I would be a teeny bit judgy about any parents who did.

MrsHeffley · 17/02/2012 20:25

We live in Devon and mine go in the sea from Feb half term onwards if they ask to,have done since tiny,never had a problem.

Smugfearnleyshittingstool · 17/02/2012 20:27

We took our three dc with friends dc, 12 in all, to the beach the day after boxing day. They all ended up in the sea, fully clothed but completely soaked. They had a fab time splashing about with the dogs! A fresh set of clothes and a hot pub lunch soon warmed them up!

My dh was in surfing at the time, full winter wetsuit, gloves and hat, he said it was cold but the kids didn't seem to notice! I wouldn't let my toddler in, but bigger kids, i have no problem with.

Smugfearnleyshittingstool · 17/02/2012 20:28

We did go to devon though, not quite the north sea! It was mild yesterday though.

ragged · 17/02/2012 20:30

DC have swam in the North sea during October half term. They wanted to.

MrsHeffley · 17/02/2012 20:31

Mine were in the sea in Cornwall last Christmas.

ifancyashandy · 17/02/2012 20:31

My mum didn't have a choice! I'd be stripped off and in there while she was still getting out of the car! She always stood hollering for me to get out after 5 30 mins. But it was easy to ignore her when me dad was body surfing next to me!

fivegomadindorset · 17/02/2012 20:32

Well as they weren't crying from cold and didn't turn blue and their teeth weren't chattering then obviously they were fine.

CrunchyFrog · 17/02/2012 20:35

I was in this time last year, it's still a bit cold yet this year.

My kids have more sense. They wait until April.

EndoplasmicReticulum · 17/02/2012 20:36

I don't swim in the North Sea in August! I did used to go in the Solent as a child though. If my mum said no we'd sneak off and go in anyway.

Llareggub · 17/02/2012 20:37

My 3 year old went in today, dressed in wellies etc. I told him not to sit down but of course he did. He ended up dressed in swim shorts, thick winter coat and hat building sun castles. It was surprisingly mild today, but definitely not warm enough for swimming unless wet suited up.

muddymooncups · 17/02/2012 20:37

DD was paddling off the north east cost on boxing day! Grin

If she had been well this week she would of had a dip, no doubt.Grin

She's 10, by the way. She did have a shirt/hat/hoodie & coat on, oh & leggings rolled up like shorts! Grin

MateyMooo · 17/02/2012 20:38

i live on the Isle of Wight and we have had the kids in the sea, whilst my BBF and i sat on loungers drinking hot tea, in hat, scarf, gloves, 3 layers AND a blankie!

the kids loved it, none of them died or got colds. in fact the only people who were cold were the adults.

the kids ranged from 5 -12.

If you have kids you will be aware that they do tell you if they are unhappy doing an activity!!!!

TheAvocado · 17/02/2012 20:40

tsk! No scientists at all here. Due to the specific heat capacity of water, it is often warmer than the land in winter. Perfect weather for a dip then! :o

UserNameNotAvailable · 17/02/2012 20:41

Brrrrr the north sea is bloody freezing in the summer never mind in winter. Ds1 likes to go on if we go to the beach and went in around about July even though we all had on winter coats and hats. I absolutely hate cold water especially on my back I just literally freeze to the spot and can't speak so there would be nO chance of me getting in the sea. Of course df loves putting anything out of the fridge on my back and I could kill him when he does it.

Where i live we have a boxing day dip where loads of people in fancy dress get into the sea for charity, does that happen anywhere else?

EndoplasmicReticulum · 17/02/2012 20:42

TheAvocado - I am a scientist. I have also been in the North Sea. It may be warmer than the land, certainly doesn't feel it.

InterruptingCow · 17/02/2012 20:43

I always take towels and spare clothes whenever we go near the sea, no matter what time of year it is, as my DSs inevitably end up in it. Not in February yet but they've been swimming in March and October. They get out when they get cold!

I'd much rather see them soaking wet and having fun that the poor child I saw looking enviously at mine while her mother told her not to go near the sea in her suede boots and immaculate clothes.

skirt · 17/02/2012 20:43

Yeah we have one but on new years day. I did it. Once.