To be irritated by swimming pool parties for 5yo

[ridingsixwhitehorses]

Trend for them at our school. Held in local municipal pool. Ratio 1 adult to 2 kids, so you have to go in with them. I don't want to be in my swimming costume in front of all the school parents. Not only that but the party room where the non swimming parents hang out overlooks pool so all the clothes parents get to see you too.

My DD is a part time lifeguard. She says pool parties can be a nightmare.
At one a dad was in pool with his child, was chatting to another Meanwhile 6 year old child got in a float and was pushed to the deep end.lifeguards whistled but ignored Said child retrieved safely but mother launched into shallow end and had a go at father!

Crikey. No YADNBU OP. I would hate being in a pool with a bunch of 5yo. It would definitely be done under suffrage. I actually enjoy swimming, so long as the water is warm enough but I hate being splashed and getting water in my eyes and ears.

Do people really think it is OK to dictate that other parents shall attend their special snowflake's party?

I don't get the 'it's like being in your underwear' thing. It's not! I would wear a full, covering costume to a swimming party for starters and I would also sunbathe on holiday in a bikini but not in my bra and knickers. It's not the same at all.
I've never had one for my kids btw but I have been to one. My oldest who was invited was old enough and a strong enough swimmer to get in by herself but the b'day mum said my youngest could come too if I didn't mind getting in with him. I have to say it was mostly dads who got in but dh was working. I'm not overweight but certainly don't have the figure I had in my 20's. If anyone didn't like it then I couldn't care less tbh - I was there to have fun with my kids not provide a peep show.

I agree OP
These parties are much better once kids can swim and the parents don't have to go in.
We went to a 5yr old swim party recently where it was shallow enough that they could all stand up the pool. Any non swimmers were asked to wear arm bands. Parents stood around the pool with a drink. That was a good party

Yanbu. I would HATE this (and I'm not remotely overweight), I just think it's better for everyone to remain fully clothed!

They are a pita. I have a swimming costume but I don't like swimming. I don't like the way I have to be almost blind or have my glasses on but be covered in splashes. I don't enjoy splashing around with swathes of small children who I barely know. It's cold if you aren't actually swimming, which you aren't as you are supervising, there is all the palava of changing, you can't drop and run, you can't take your other dcs with you, you can't leave your other dcs in the cafe if they are still small, you can't ask a pal to keep an eye like you would in a play centre if it will upset the ratios. I have hideous heavy periods about 8 days out of every 20 and literally couldn't get in the water on those days. I'm not a LP, but plenty of people don't have the 'send Dad' option (I don't). Not everyone even owns a swimming costume.

I'm a firm believer that if you host a party, then you host it, and provide all the adults you need to keep the dc safe and having fun.

+1

bumsex it's because you can choose how to dress your outline in normal clothes, but there is no room to hide saggy bum/big breasts/small breasts/fat tummy etc in a swimming costume. Hence the underwear comparison.

On holiday, you are usually either amongst close friends & family, or strangers. Close friends & family are people who love you as you are and don't care about your body, holiday strangers don't matter. School parent acquaintances are the odd in-betweens as they are friends but also strangers. I wouldn't want X's dad seeing my cleavage or bum in a swimming costume when I don't even get them out on a night out or on the school run.

Rubbish!

Pool Parties are feasible and good fun IF parents are all agreeing to go in. Been there. Done that. Got the t'shirt (several times over) and my DC was aged THREE when he had his first one. but it was in a private pool- ....

But kids love pool parties! They just love them.

We're just about to have one for DD when she turns 7, so I've been reading this thread and feeling a bit bad. However, I asked for volunteers to go in the pool and ALL the parents have offered! So they can't be that unpopular.

And I plan to be having too much fun to care what I look like in a cossie.