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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Other people taking your child swimming

33 replies

whatdyouthink · 23/02/2012 17:48

AIBU/ overprotective not want my 7 yo to go swimming with another family. she has been invited. she is very small but a reasonable swimmer. it is a busy pool in different sections. with water slides. i always feel that people instinctively watch their own dc more closely than others so am nervous of the supervision issue...

OP posts:
Mabelface · 23/02/2012 17:49

Let her go. IME, parents tend to be more, not less vigilant when it's someone else's kids.

upahill · 23/02/2012 17:50

I think you are being well overprotective.

gaunyerseljeannie · 23/02/2012 17:50

YABU if there are adequate lifeguards, and personally I think I am more protective of any other child I take, not less, as I would feel awful even if they got too much water up there nose Grin

5inthebed · 23/02/2012 17:50

YAB a bit U, she is 7 not 3. There will be life guards there and no doubt she will be staying with her friend so her friends family will be watching both of them.

Bingdweller · 23/02/2012 17:51

I agree, I'm much more vigilant with other folks kids. Let her go, she will have a great time.

SpringingAllTheWay · 23/02/2012 17:51

YABU, way too overprotective! Like you say, she's a good swimmer and the other family are bound to be extra cautious looking after someone else's child. If you're worried, you could go along too and sit on the side? :)

birdsofshoreandsea · 23/02/2012 17:52

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

RitaMorgan · 23/02/2012 17:53

I thought this would be about a toddler Grin I have let other people take my 18 month old swimming and he hasn't drowned yet.

Vasilisa · 23/02/2012 17:53

I am sorry to disagree with folk but I don't take my 8 and 4 yos myself as I would not be able to look after both if they were in trouble at all.

However neither can swim...

even if you can though, I got into trouble in a pool once with my older sister, we both were fair swimmers and were 11 and 13.

Had to be pulled out by lifeguard.

These things can happen. I'd be hesitant as well. In a small pool it's far eaier to keep track of everyone but this sounds big and chaotic.

AuntingCarse · 23/02/2012 17:54

Yeah a bit really.

Vasilisa · 23/02/2012 17:54

How many people altogether?

Original poster
whatdyouthink · 23/02/2012 17:54

ok, will have a word with myself Grin

i know what you mean re watching MORE closely, and i sort of agree. but... on an instinctive level, i think they could forgot my dd was with them for a moment...

OP posts:
Original poster
whatdyouthink · 23/02/2012 17:57

x-posts.

at least 4 children in total are going

OP posts:
Trills · 23/02/2012 17:59

If they have the required number of adults (most places say no more than 2 under-8s per adult) then YABU

Vasilisa · 23/02/2012 18:14

4 children and presumably only two adults? Can the other kids swim?

I would be cautious.

MsWeatherwax · 23/02/2012 22:06

I nearly drowned at 7 (my friend noticed and brought me back to the surface) because I couldn't swim properly and went in too deep, however if she can swim well, it's another matter.

owlelf · 23/02/2012 22:15

I would watch any children in my care like a hawk- whether they were my own or not. There would be no danger whatsoever of me forgetting to watch any child, or bring less vigilant with children that were not my own.

I am a bit Hmm at the suggestion that anyone would take less care to watch children that are not their own- even unintentionally. However, you have got me thinking and wondering if I am wrong to assume that everyone is as responsible as me......

owlelf · 23/02/2012 22:15

Sorry being not bring.

DaenerysTargaryenButCallMeDany · 23/02/2012 22:18

I take my friends 2yo every week, she must be very trusting.. .

DaenerysTargaryenButCallMeDany · 23/02/2012 22:20

Vasilisa

"4 children and presumably only two adults? Can the other kids swim?

I would be cautious."

really? really?

Birdsgottafly · 23/02/2012 22:28

"4 children and presumably only two adults? Can the other kids swim?

I would be cautious."

So would i, if they were chucking them over the side of a boat into the irish sea Confused

In a swimming pool, they will be fine and tbh, if they do get over confident and take risks, better to learn from a mistake in a pool than in open water.

squeakytoy · 23/02/2012 22:31

If she is a good swimmer then YABVU... at 7 I was a very competent swimmer as were my friends, and we went to the baths without our parents..

Cherriesarelovely · 23/02/2012 22:31

My DD is a swimmer but not a strong one. She has yet to build up her confidence to go out of her depth. She is getting there though. I would be a bit worried about her in a big pool with different sections like the one you described and she is 9.

Bubbaluv · 24/02/2012 08:23

If she can swim what's the problem? 7 year old here (in Aus) have pool parties. I assume if the parents are taking the other children to a crowded water-slide pool then they can all swim (otherwise there wouldn't be much point), so I can't see why you'd be so concerned.
I think it really comes down to your definition of "reasonable swimmer". Does that mean she doggy paddles across a pool with her head above the water or is she happy diving down to the bottom, swims different strokes, somersaults/handstands - seriously comfortable with water play?

Original poster
whatdyouthink · 24/02/2012 08:24

thanks all.

she is a reasonable swimmer.i didnt say good. but she is short. not confident out of depth. she would really worry about doing a width out of her depth. although she could do it.

i didnt mean that someone would deliberately neglect her, just that we are genetically programme to watch over our own. in a split second of absent mindedness, they might forget they'd brought her. thats what i meant.

OP posts: