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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Doing a Step class when DD (6) is swimming?

41 replies

Rosieeo · 08/09/2012 10:31

I have no idea if I'm BU or not.

Step class starts at 6pm and lasts for one hour. DD's swimming class starts at 6pm and lasts for 30 minutes. WIBU to ask DD (who is nearly 7) to get changed on her own in a smallish village leisure centre and then come upstairs to where they run the class and watch me get sweaty for the last 15 minutes? I'd get her ready for swimming and see her in.

WIBU?

OP posts:
Secret7 · 08/09/2012 10:34

If you think she's up to it, then no problem. Be prepared for lost swimwear and luggy hair Grin

TeuchterWahine · 08/09/2012 10:37

Sounds reasonable if she's up to it. I'm sure the staff know where you are in case you're needed.

Mrsjay · 08/09/2012 10:39

Don't see why not ask the swimming teacher if they are ok with it maybe they like a responsible around, but apart from that why not

Original poster
Rosieeo · 08/09/2012 10:46

Okay, that's positive! I'd maybe do a couple of trial runs and wait outside the changing rooms to see how she got on, then upstairs and so on. I'd keep an eye on the clock and go to find her if needs be.

It's the kind of place where lost stuff would come back to me, although the luggy hair would still have to be wrangled with! :)

OP posts:
Mrsjay · 08/09/2012 11:19

rosie My daughter is 14 and comes out of swimming fully clothes but dripping wet

NCForNow · 08/09/2012 11:44

Erm...no. If you could see her changed and into her class I would say yes...but I wouldn't leave a 7 year old alone in a leisure centre changing room....

Original poster
Rosieeo · 08/09/2012 12:05

NC, yep, I would be able to do that, then belt upstairs for the start of the class. It'd be coming out of class that she'd have to do on her own.

OP posts:
letsblowthistacostand · 08/09/2012 12:49

Most classes my dds have been to won't let the children go unless there is someone there to collect them.

HoneyMurcott · 08/09/2012 13:56

My DD is same age and I have to say I would not let her get changed on her own. She really isn't up to it and couldn't handle it if something went wrong and I couldn't forgive myself if something terrible happened. I have a water exercise class on at exactly the same time as her swimming lesson - in the same pool - but our pool has a rule that a parent has to be poolside for the duration of their child's lesson. I have to get my husband to sit poolside so I can do my class. It's a pain but those are the rules.

LucieMay · 08/09/2012 14:01

At DS's swimming lessons, you're actually not allowed to leave the building while your kids are in a lesson, until they're eight!

EdithWeston · 08/09/2012 14:02

You'll need to check with the swimming teacher if they are happy to release your DD like this. I've found there is a big difference between what people will OK for the over 8s compared to the under 8s.

Goldidi · 08/09/2012 14:02

I did it when my dd was 7 (possibly a month or so before her birthday too). She was fine when we were at the small leisure centre although it took her nearly half an hour to get dry and dressed as she was so busy chatting. She quite liked that she was considered old enough and I liked being able to go off and do my own thing instead of watching her swim 3 times a week (swimming club rather than lessons). The teachers knew where to find me if I was needed, as did dd.

LucieMay · 08/09/2012 17:48

Also, I know they're in the vast minority of people, but most paedophiles have a condition attached to their licence upon release from prison that they aren't allowed in swimming baths (ie if they breach this they can be recalled to prison). It's a sobering thought before letting kids get changed on their own without anyone else close by.

NCForNow · 08/09/2012 17:50

Could you not get someone else to look after her?

Tryharder · 08/09/2012 17:52

I wouldn't have a problem with this.

zzzzz · 08/09/2012 17:54

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

HolyParalympicGoldBatman · 08/09/2012 17:59

I think this would be ok as long as you think your DD could cope with it.

Startailoforangeandgold · 08/09/2012 18:02

At 8 they have to use their own gender changing rooms. Friends DS drove us mad dawdling.

I think at 7 you need another mum just to keep a bit of an eye on her or your class is likely to have finished and she'll still be chattering.

DD2 and her friends at dancing can take forever.

NCForNow · 08/09/2012 18:06

Who would she be "chattering" with Startail? She will be alone. The other kids will have their parents with them.

thebeesnees79 · 08/09/2012 18:18

I wouldn't as I think its too young.
a boy of 14 was raped in debenhams toilet by two men soooo for me it would no.

NCForNow · 08/09/2012 18:56

Well yes. That was terrible. Things like that are rare but nonetheless they can happen and it's that "can" which makes me choose not to leave my DC alone in busy public places.

thebeesnees79 · 08/09/2012 19:00

I could not agree more. they are very very rare but still I would not want to risk it. That poor boy is going to be traumatised for years to come Sad

lovebunny · 08/09/2012 19:00

i think its a really bad idea.
maybe do it if you are sure that you would be able to live with yourself if something went wrong - like a flailing arm from another swimmer knocked your dd out in the water, and the swimming teacher didn't see, or another adult picked up the child you don't want to supervise.
she's your daughter and your responsibility even while swimming.
is there a later step class, or one on another night? she could bring a book or some colouring and sit at the back and watch...

everlong · 08/09/2012 19:05

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

theoriginalandbestrookie · 08/09/2012 19:09

I think YABU.

DS is 6 which is the same age as your daughter and I wouldn't be happy to do this.Not particularly because I think anything would happen to her but it seems like a lot of responsibility for a young girl. If she was 8 I would say fine as that is the age of our friend's son and he is expected to get himself dressed and to the gym cafe by himself.

DS has a half hour swimming lesson and I use it to go on the treadmill for about 20 mins then have a quick shower before picking him up.