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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

to think the cost of taking a baby swimming for 10/15 min is a rip off

104 replies

arthurbaby · 07/03/2014 20:44

We took our baby DD to the swimming pool for her first time this week and she loved it. But it cost £8.40 for two adults and a baby. We were only in the pool 15 minutes and would love to go every week but simply cannot bare to pay so much. I have researched discount cards/active cards etc. We were the only people in the baby pool. Am I being unreasonable to think if they charged less they would get more customers and in the long run make more money? But also raise a healthier generation of children?

OP posts:
janey68 · 07/03/2014 20:46

I don't think that's unreasonable when you think of the costs of maintaining and staffing a pool. But if you're not happy, you could stay in longer to get your money's worth or take it in turns to go swimming with the baby

janey68 · 07/03/2014 20:48

Maybe I've misunderstand. If there was a 15 minute time limit on you then yes, that's steep

muddyprints · 07/03/2014 20:49

Have you tried local schools or sure start centres?
Ours both do baby classes for £1 for an hour with instructor in water and baby toys and mats travel cots for changing.

Original poster
arthurbaby · 07/03/2014 20:50

There wasn't a 15 minute time limit but she is a very little baby and started to get a bit cold. I just think it is a lot for families to pay. Which is perhaps proven by the fact the pool was empty.

OP posts:
Original poster
arthurbaby · 07/03/2014 20:51

That sounds good muddyprints. I will have a look

OP posts:
MyNameIsKenAdams · 07/03/2014 20:56

So just one of you go with the baby - that will cut the cost in half.

Waltonswatcher1 · 07/03/2014 20:58

Swimming is expensive . A few years ago all children got free swimming ( not sure if this was just our area) . We went at least once a week , the pool was full of families and kids . We can't afford to go that often now .
Fifteen mins is plenty for a litle one in my opinion , they do get chilly .

meerschweinchen · 07/03/2014 20:59

Surely you don't both need to go though? Would make it cheaper if you maybe took it in turns to take her? Per person it's not really that expensive compared to some activities. And you were really lucky to have the pool to yourselves! Ours is always really busy, with lots of older children larking around in the under 5's sessions Confused

Original poster
arthurbaby · 07/03/2014 20:59

We are aware one of us going would cut the cost but we want to spend time together as a family.

OP posts:
dellybobs · 07/03/2014 21:00

I agree OP I took my dd and she was blue after ten minutes because the pool was so cold. Cost us a fortune for literally minutes in water. I'm not taking her again until she's much older and can cope with a little longer. When I took her to baby swimming class I got told to leave after 15 minutes, because she was too cold, by the instructor yet I still paid the full price, I was annoyed because she hadnt even started the lesson at this point we were just stood around waiting for her while she chatted to a mum who she must have been friends with for 15minutes .

CharlesRyder · 07/03/2014 21:00

When DS was tiny only one of us went in the pool as it was such a short time. We both went, but one watched with a coffee!

We also bought DS a neoprene http://www.splashabout.com/en/our-products/baby-swimming/mini-wetsuits/warm-in-one/ baby wetsuitwhich meant he could be in for a bit longer.

CharlesRyder · 07/03/2014 21:01

oops here

bella411 · 07/03/2014 21:04

I agree op Dp and I both go in the pool with our dd started going when she was a few months and its over £8 and we are only in there 20/25 tops.

We both want to go in with her make it a family experience but agree it is expensive for how long you are actually in there.

Not sure how they could make it cheaper for families with infants. Unless you get a free adult with every child under a certain age.

Amissbyanyothername · 07/03/2014 21:05

DH here. Surprised that people's primary solution is 'just one of you go', personally I think that's a very weak argument. I looked forward to to this all week and would be going every evening if it was cheaper (is that bad?). Why can't the government subsidise it (surely it would encourage happy families and fitter children)

Lucylouby · 07/03/2014 21:07

I afraid it doesn't get cheaper op. we are taking the dc tomorrow and it will cost us £15, at a council run pool, with grubby changing rooms, and no smaller childrens pool. We will be in for about an hour, but I am always amazed by the cost of going. Swimming is an excellent exercise, but it does cost quite a bit.

redskyatnight · 07/03/2014 21:08

Well if you're only spending 15 minutes together it's not really a great family activity ?

We used to take it turns to swim and look after the baby, so we'd be there for up to an hour - still expensive but at least you feel you get your money's worth.

MyNameIsKenAdams · 07/03/2014 21:08

Because the government cant pay for everything.

PavlovtheCat · 07/03/2014 21:09

Of course two parents don't need to go! but, it's really nice to experience swimming and other activities as a family. And 15 minutes is plenty for a little baby. So, almost £10 is a huge expense. So, they should not do family activities which cost almost £40 per hour?! That's insane.

I think pools should do a couple of hours a week of reduced cost baby swimming for families to encourage participation of both parents. Don't ask me how the logistics would work etc, I don't know, but some-one would be able to work it out.

YANBU.

PavlovtheCat · 07/03/2014 21:09

myname that is true. It is unfair to expect the government to pay for this type of thing. What with the extra burden of the MP pay rises and whatnot.

WooWooOwl · 07/03/2014 21:11

Two adults and a baby for 8 quid?

I think that's a bargain! It's up to you if you only want to spend 15 minutes there, for all they knew you were going to be there hours. What do you expect them to do, hire enough staff to effectively police how long people stay?

Pools aren't cheap to run, and it has to be paid for somehow.

PavlovtheCat · 07/03/2014 21:12

lucy we are quite fortunate that our gym gives us free swimming for our children. So we pay for our membership each month, which in itself pays for itself, and additionally we can take our children between set times (specific family sessions) for no extra cost. And then, in the holidays our local pool has free swimming for all children who get lessons, whatever their age. We still have to pay as adults, but it makes it more bearable if only £8 per swim for four of us. It's not a council run pool, as they were closed ages ago, although it does have council subsidies.

ikeaismylocal · 07/03/2014 21:13

Yabu. Family time doesn't have to happen in a swimming pool, if you are struggling to afford it then just have family time at the park or in your own home.

We just had deep baths with ds when he was a tiny baby, I don't think the baby knows any difference, you can make it the right temperature and it's not full of germs and chemicals like public pools.

MrsBennetsEldest · 07/03/2014 21:13

You have to accept activities cost money.
Take a towel to the pool and wrap the baby up for a cuddle for 10 mins then have another 10 mins in water and so on.

Pagwatch · 07/03/2014 21:13

Take a couple of towels and some toys.
You can dip baby in and out, sit poolside and play.
Or wait a few months until they can manage longer.

bella411 · 07/03/2014 21:14

Sorry dont agree redsky, the time is irrelevant for a family activity its more the enjoyment of the child, which in this case makes it a family experience.

Also its a hell of a lot easier 2 of you being in the changing room getting child changed and then entertained whilst the other one gets dry, which at my local pool you can go to the changing rooms if you are swimming.

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