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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

WIBU to let my 18 month use the paddling pool?

32 replies

TacticalWheelbarrow · 07/06/2013 18:11

I went to a mother and baby group thing (not an official event) at our local park for a picnic and play.
DD was toddling around and payed a lot of interest in the paddling pool they had filled up. She kept pointing and saying "bath bath" and trying to get in. Some of the other babies there kept dipping their hands in and splashing.
I thought that seeing as it was nice weather DD could go in for a bit so I stripped her to her nappy and put her in the pool as did a one other mum with Her son. Cut a long story short they had a blast and they weren't in there for long.

BUT all the time there were a few mums making comments like "oh don't do that, all them germs!" and "Oh they might swallow the water". One even said "my DC would never be allowed to do that!"
It made me feel bad coz the other mums are quite a bit older than me and I felt they were being quite judgemental. But when I was a kid I have fond memories of playing in the pool in the park and it was the done thing. Has this now changed?

So aibu to let my kids play in the pool at the park Confused

OP posts:
NoMine · 07/06/2013 18:14

YANBU.

Germs? Really!? At one of the parks near us there's a water feature with a wading pool and fountains, etc. Both of mine have played in it from as soon as they could walk along with the majority of all the other children in the area, none of them have suffered from paddling pool related germs yet.

VinegarDrinker · 07/06/2013 18:16

What is a paddling pool for if not paddling? Confused

dinkystinky · 07/06/2013 18:17

No YANBU - those other mothers were being very PFB.

Original poster
TacticalWheelbarrow · 07/06/2013 18:18

That's what I thought! But apparently it's dirty because kids piss in it and insects in it and wild animals drinking out of it??

I don't really think that much into things.

OP posts:
AprilFoolishness · 07/06/2013 18:21

Well did it look full of dead insects and unmentionables? If not, then yanbu!

Inebriatededna · 07/06/2013 18:24

Children need a few germs to build their immunity , you let your daughter do something she enjoyed and that's what's important

LondonJax · 07/06/2013 18:29

If their kids are/were crawling they probably put a lot more than that in their mouth everyday...

NoMine · 07/06/2013 18:29

Their household water has had people pissing in it and wild animals drinking from it and insects and all sorts. I know it's been cleaned first but still, one can't be too careful ...

MimsyBorogroves · 07/06/2013 18:30

Was it floating with pond scum and a dead fox, or something?

YANBU. Paddling pools are for, well, paddling.

Justforlaughs · 07/06/2013 18:32

I also have fond memories of playing in paddling pools in the park as a child, and I've also taken my own children to do the same. If I have a warning for you, it is to be aware of the possibility of broken glass at the bottom. I don't know whether you saw them fill the paddling pool, or whether it is protected at night etc, but if it is a permanent fixture and not protected just be careful. I don't want to put you off though, I really hope you and your DC had a great time

LePetitPrince · 07/06/2013 18:37

YANBU!
One of my friends thinks I am mad for letting my kids pick wild blackberries and eating a sneaky few at the same time. Honestly we need to get a grip.

IneedAsockamnesty · 07/06/2013 18:38

Yanbu they are being silly

crashdoll · 07/06/2013 18:39

YANBU. The other mums sounds very precious.

AnaisB · 07/06/2013 18:41

Were there other kids in it? There have been a few d&v outbreaks in nuseries after kids went in paddling pools in non swim nappies. I'd be more worried about your kids contaminating it with their poo.

BridgetBidet · 07/06/2013 18:46

YANBU. Their kids are going to grow up with asthma, excema and allergies.

valiumredhead · 07/06/2013 18:47

Ds used to do this all the time, had a blast.

BeKindToYourKnees · 07/06/2013 18:51

At my Nana's park there was a concrete pit - in the winter it was filled with sand and in the summer it turned into a paddling pool. I was never allowed to go in it because of the germs Sad All the other kids were having great fun but I had to watch enviously from the sidelines. I know she had my best interests at heart but this is my abiding memory.

Your DD won't come to any harm, even if the other kids have pissed in it or there are few insects floating around!

wonderingsoul · 07/06/2013 18:51

next time retort with

" heres a grip.. infact take the whole bagfull because you need them more then me"

where their pfb wrapped in cotton wool.. or bubble wrap?

debduck · 07/06/2013 18:58

*rolls eyes

I once heard that the children couldnt take park in an egg and spoon race because the eggs were not organic. True dat.

Trust your instincts. You were spot on today.

toffeelolly · 07/06/2013 19:04

YANBU. What a lot of crap. Not one thing wrong with what you done. Some parent's just like to wrap them up in cotton wool. And I bet they do not let them crawl around the grass also.

wigglesrock · 07/06/2013 19:23

Unless there's a dead badger floating it in, I'd do it.

I mind my 15 month old niece and she had a bit of a paddle in something similar a few days ago.

1Veryhungrycaterpillar · 07/06/2013 20:08

I got hassled for letting my baby play in a paddling pool of custardy goo at a messy play session, 'but, she's getting so dirty' it's messy play FFS

pigletmania · 07/06/2013 20:17

Yanbu at all ignore those pfb mums. I bi of arterial is good for the immune system though our gp has said

pigletmania · 07/06/2013 20:18

Bacteria doh

wonderingsoul · 07/06/2013 20:44

1very- my 4 n 7 year old would love that!

wonders how much custerd it would take to fill up thier little paddling pool

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