Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. Protection built in.

Meet the Other Phone.
Protection built in.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

... to think children should not be allowed in the main pool?

227 replies

littleemma1 · 23/08/2017 10:24

So, I have recently taken up swimming in the past couple of weeks (which I am really enjoying and finding I'm getting fitter already!) but I've noticed something that's really bugging me already... children being allowed to mess around in the main pool when it's full of people actually trying to swim.
Now I know the MN jury will most likely SLATE me for this as I will openly admit I do not have children yet (notice the YET, actively trying, that's a different thread!) so I probably come across as biased.
I hasten to add that there are 3 other children's pools at said swimming centre. Admittedly the biggest of the three is closed at the times I've been going for private swimming lessons but that's still leaves another 2!
So, why do the parents stand there letting their beloved children splash around, swimming right across other people's paths, and say/do nothing?! Surely they should have some consideration for other swimmers who are there to SWIM (yes swim, in a swimming pool) but it would seem not.
I honestly think the pool could/should bring in a policy for adults only in the main pool during peak times for example first thing in the morning (for the people who need to go to work, like me) or last thing in the evening when most children would be in bed?
There are other things that annoy me about pool etiquette like people who refuse to swim around you and think they have the almighty right to swim in a straight line, people who get in the pool and then don't swim, just standing at the sides, I could go on forever but I won't.

So, after that rant, AIBU?

OP posts:
ScarletForYa · 23/08/2017 15:10

Is that you WORKzilla ??

Ttbb · 23/08/2017 15:15

Children's pools tend to be small/shallow for bigger children to use them. My eldest (3) is already too tall to swim properly in the kids pool at my gym, when older children are let in by their parents they tend to cause problems for the little ones. It is also very small, only really big enough for a maximum of eight children.

BorisTrumpsHair · 23/08/2017 15:17

I think WORKzilla is on an all inclusive holiday at Disneyland Florida with her family about now isn't she?

Cause you know, she WORKS so hard.

Original poster
littleemma1 · 23/08/2017 16:26

Ok, maybe saying WORKS, came across in the wrong way but what baffles me is why these mothers would want to take their kids swimming at 8am?!
I have no objection to kids playing, but surely the parents should be mindful of other people in the pool? I several times this morning had to stop mid length and move because kids had jumped into the pool right in front of me.... is that not dangerous above anything else?
Said kids were all no older than 8, I'd say ranging from 4-8 and most couldn't swim unassisted so again I'd think the main pool is unsuitable?
If I could afford a private membership then I would because I realise it's a lot less busy but unfortunately I am not able to at this moment, saving for a wedding and children has to come first.
Surely half of you saying ABU would agree if you were trying to fit 30mins of swimming in before starting your day but found t difficult due to unruly children?
As for the other points I made in terms of people moving, on several occasions I've been the one having to move out of the way for others when they didn't seem they wanted to, surely they're the self entitled?

OP posts:
plantsitter · 23/08/2017 16:37

Seriously, you need to talk to the pool about roping off a lane.

You lost me at 'these mothers' otherwise I'm afraid.

Piggywaspushed · 23/08/2017 16:38

emma I believe it would be perfectly normal to take kids swimming at 8! They've probably been up since 6 am!!

minoandolphin · 23/08/2017 16:46

what baffles me is why these mothers would want to take their kids swimming at 8am?!

Maybe the kids had woken her up at 6, were driving her nuts and she wanted to get them out of the house to do something to wear them out? What does it matter - point is, swimming pools are not primarily for people to work out. If you were in a gym, and some kids were pissing about on the equipment, you'd be entitled to feel cross about that; that's not what gyms are for.

Swimming pools, on the other hand, are for everyone; kids, parents, people who WORK, everyone - and if your swimming pool doesn't specifically say this session is 'swimming for fitness' or whatever, then people can do what they like in there.

If your pool doesn't offer morning lane swimming, suggest they introduce it or go somewhere else that does. It doesn't have to be private, there are plenty of pools about that do offer this.

Basically, what you want is for the pool to be set up so that you can do YOUR chosen activity in there regardless of what anyone else wants to use it for. That is not a reasonable expectation.

NotAgainYoda · 23/08/2017 16:51

It's the school holidays

I think you need to be where others are not, OP

NotAgainYoda · 23/08/2017 16:53

P.S

you don't need to save for a wedding. Quick trip to the Registry Office and Bob's your uncle. I'd join a gym if I were you.

NotAgainYoda · 23/08/2017 16:56

PPS

In my local pool it's the 'woman attempting some sort of weird backwards Butterfly' that buggers everything up. The slow people move to the Medium lane to avoid the queues, then the Medium people move to the Fast lane and before you know it it's utter mayhem with free tutting.

Hillingdon · 23/08/2017 17:03

This thread reminds me of my SIL who demanded in a very glam adults only restaurant abroad to bring in her sleeping toddler.

I asked her what would happen if her DD woke up to be told that she would deal with it if and when that happened. She wanted the maitre'd to ask all the other tables (this wasn't a big place - think Mitchelin Star type) if it is was OK and was most put out when they said no

Hillingdon · 23/08/2017 17:03

Sorry, maybe a bit off topic!

noeffingidea · 23/08/2017 17:05

I think I have the solution here.
No childrens pool. Instead 2 bigger pools, 1 to be completely laned off, for people who want to and are capable of swimming laps only. That includes children who are competent swimmers.
The other pool for fun swimmers, ladies who don't want to get their hair wet, kids who want to play, aquafit, etc.
I think the current problem is that many pools have a children's pool which isn't much use for anybody and just takes up space. Instead there should be a fun pool and a fitness swimming pool.
Future pool designers , please take note.

Piratesandpants · 23/08/2017 17:13

As you're planning to have children you will soon be able to answer your own question about why people take their children swimming at 8am. Grin

cathf · 23/08/2017 17:14

Disagree with pp saying it is reasonable to take kids swimming at 8am. To me, that is adult time. Preschoolers and schoolchildren have all day to go swimming in the holidays. Leave pre 9am to the people who have no choice.

Knottyash5 · 23/08/2017 17:17

It's the school.holidays. Once term starts you won't have a problem

you will, because then you have school lessons and clubs.

It is a perennial problem. It's not so bad where I live now because we have a new leisure centre with a bigger pool and they have listened and provided more adult sessions. But it is difficult for them to allocate time fairly to all the different interest groups.

NotAgainYoda · 23/08/2017 17:19

Knottash

School lessons and clubs don't splash about willy nilly. They keep to their own lanes

famousfour · 23/08/2017 17:20

I think proper swimming and fun swimming are basically incompatible. You need to find a pool that does lane swimming at times that suit you or discuss this with management. There could be any number of reasons the children's pools are not used - too shallow, too busy, too hot or whatever. But unless the big pool is designated at that time for lane swimming they are free to use it. That said general good manners apply in a pool as much as anywhere else and children should not be jumping on your head. But UABU to expect your wish to swim in a straight line to be respected by everyone during general swim time - it doesn't trump everything else.

To put forward an alternative scenario I take my children swimming at designated family swim at my gym. These times are few and well publicised. Otherwise it's adults only. Every now and then an adult turns up unawares to swim which is probably disappointing/ annoying for them. Once said man insisted on getting in and starting swimming laps of front crawl at speed in what is a small pool with parents and children all over the place. And then looked pissed that there were people in his way whilst he was in danger of bashing some two year old. It was most odd.

famousfour · 23/08/2017 17:24

since my dc is learning to swim using the pool widths it was also incredibly entitled of him. Phew - got that off my chest!

OhOfCourse · 23/08/2017 17:27

YABU - kind of

My son is 12 and has joined the gym recently with me. He's too big to go in the kids pool and he's doing well at swimming laps in the big pool (but not as well as the adults!) and needs more rest in between laps. I'm saying YABU-kind of because I pay a decent whack for his membership so he has every right to be there if he wants.

However, one mum was teaching her LO to swim in the lap pool where it would have been MUCH more appropriate to do that in the kids pool.

HoneyIshrunktheBiscuit · 23/08/2017 17:28

I'm getting ready for WORK at 8am

Sofabitch · 23/08/2017 17:30

Our pool ropes off 1/3 for lane swimming during general swiming times. Win win

Piggywaspushed · 23/08/2017 17:35

I am already at WORK at 8am. 8am is quite late really.

NotAgainYoda · 23/08/2017 17:36

I g to WORK at before I get back from WORK the previous day. Basically, it's all I do

TestTubeTeen · 23/08/2017 17:37

You know some of 'these mothers' might be taking their kids early before dripping them at childminders and going to WORK?

The pool as it is is open to all and every single customer has a right to use it in their own way. You are not more important or entitled to more rights than a child (who knows, a future Olympic swimmer) developing confidence and having fun splashing about.

As others have said, it isn't the kids and mothers, it's pool management.

Swimming brings out a strong hierarchical sense of entitlement, I find.

I am a head-out breast stroke lady, I swim up and down in a straight line at the slowest edge of the pool, for fitness. I see a PP wants me banished amongst the bobbers, splashers, dive bombers and inflatable dolphins!