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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

AIBU to not wash my kids after swimming?

150 replies

siblingrevelryagain · 04/08/2017 12:17

I seem to be the only one who doesn't-lots of threads I've seen in the past seem to have 50% of parents showering at swimming pool, with the other half talking about bringing them home and throwing them in bath or shower.

I do neither; they get dressed (onesie and pj's in winter!) and come home, and later go to bed without showering.

In my defence, they all have good skin and strong constitutions so I can't see any outward effects of this, but equally I'm prepared to be told if im being dirty/unhygienic.

OP posts:
KoalaDownUnder · 04/08/2017 12:19

Nah, YANBU. As long as the chlorine doesn't make them itchy, I don't sed the problem.

Onlythehorses · 04/08/2017 12:20

I think it is grim to be honest.

Standstilling · 04/08/2017 12:20

I have never quite understood showering after swimming either, or at least the fuss some people msomeabout it. Apart from to get the chlorine out of my hair because it turns it to straw. I mean, chlorine is basically bleach, right?

itstheyearzero · 04/08/2017 12:20

I do the same do you are not alone!

GlitterGlue · 04/08/2017 12:21

What about their hair? Doesn't it look manky?

WhatHaveIFound · 04/08/2017 12:21

As a mum of a child currently on heavy duty antibiotics due to a bacterial skin infection (which we suspect could have been picked up from a poorly chlorinated pool) YABU not to wash after swimming. DS also had good skin and a strong constitution until last week!

WaxOnFeckOff · 04/08/2017 12:22

For me it's getting the chemicals off. If their hair isn't washed or at the very least rinsed, you can feel that it is still "sticky" with chlorine. The chlorine will likely kill all the germs in the water so it's not a dirt thing for me.

That said, as a child I went swimming with my older brothers and sisters, don't think I ever had a shower other than maybe to warm up mid swim. I'm still alive and still have hair.

Orangedaisy · 04/08/2017 12:23

Quick rinse under the shower at the pool does mine. I don't think it's grim not to but might as well seeing as it takes 2 minutes and helps get rid of the smell.

Tazerface · 04/08/2017 12:23

I don't bother either.

Swimming lessons finish at 6, they need to get changed and be home for 630 so they can have something to eat before bed. Bed always a bit earlier because it knackers them out!

They can shower in the morning. Who cares what their hair looks like unless they have an event afterwards? Confused

megletthesecond · 04/08/2017 12:23

Mine have a rinse in the shower at the pool, just to get the chlorine smell off. No soap or shampoo though. Fresh pants and socks after swimming and get their pj's on when we get home.

blibblibs · 04/08/2017 12:24

I do exactly the same. We're in a bit country so they're in the pool or sea at least 4/5 days a week. I hose them down after the sea and if there are decent showers at the pool I might pop some conditioner in their hair but I certainly don't stress about it.

IncyWincyGrownUp · 04/08/2017 12:26

Mine shower, it's part of the routine. It's also an excuse to get my very shampoo-averse middle child to have an 'extra' hair wash.

exWifebeginsat40 · 04/08/2017 12:26

but...but their feet! swimming pool changing room floor munge. and don't they smell of chlorine?

GameOldBirdz · 04/08/2017 12:26

It depends how often they swim. I swim every day and shower thoroughly every time- chlorine on your skin and in your hair every day is incredibly damaging.
Plus, I know it's ridiculous and that's what the chlorine is for, but swimming pools are full of other people's dead skin, pubes, poo crumbs, spit, wee, blood etc. Why the fuck wouldn't you want to wash that off?

FindoGask · 04/08/2017 12:28

I think best to at least shower at the pool. Swimming pools are pretty rank, that's why there's so much chlorine in them. And chlorine itself is v. drying on your skin.

GameOldBirdz · 04/08/2017 12:30

I judge people hard who don't shower themselves or their children after they swim

Bumpsadaisie · 04/08/2017 12:32

We always rinse in the shower and then have proper bath and hair wash at home.

caffeinestream · 04/08/2017 12:33

I would always shower after swimming - people pee in there! Bleurgh. Plus I wouldn't want to go round stinking of chlorine.

Whosthemummynow · 04/08/2017 12:34

MN always brings out the competitive clean freaks.

Bluntness100 · 04/08/2017 12:35

I'd give them a shower at the pool. It's not because it's unhygienic as such it's to get the chlorine off. I know if I went swimming and then just got dressed I'd feel and smell a bit rank, but I don't think it takes more than a quick shower at the pool.

CremeEggThief · 04/08/2017 12:36

I don't even shower every day, but I couldn't imagine not showering after swimming. That is grim. YABU.

WaxOnFeckOff · 04/08/2017 12:37

but...but their feet! swimming pool changing room floor munge.

How is that different if you have a shower at the pool?

I don't necessarily care what their hair looks like, but if it feels stciky becasue its covered in chemicals and they are then sleeping in that and breathing it in all night, I don't think that's great.

StealthPolarBear · 04/08/2017 12:41

They're al ready wet and it takes an extra 30 seconds.
Getting them in the shower when they're home, dry and entertained is tricky. Going in the shower after swimming I quick and easy.
Agree their feet are grim. We save a towel for when we're at the end of the changing rooms and we all have a final dry on that towel

FindoGask · 04/08/2017 12:42

"MN always brings out the competitive clean freaks."

if you saw my house you would know how far from being a clean freak I am! But public swimming pools are festering swamps of grim.

caffeinestream · 04/08/2017 12:43

I don't think saying you'd shower after swimming in a communal bath of dead skin cells, pee and God knows what else is being a competitive clean freak Hmm

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