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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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Original poster

To wonder why I can't put my baby in a carseat at the side of the baby pool whilst I take my 3 year old in...

48 replies

UCM · 14/05/2007 18:11

Not sure if this has been done before but I have just telephoned my local pool to ask if you can do this and a very snotty person, who was totally uninterested in my call informed me that I can't. I said 'wow, I wont ever be able to take them swimming then, thats nice', in a very nice way, she replied with 'ok then' and hung up.

OP posts:

Original poster

UCM · 14/05/2007 19:07

Gosh to think I used to go swimming on my own on a Saturday morning at around age 7/8.

OP posts:

tigermoth · 14/05/2007 19:07

UCM, glad you are amending your plans. I think there is always the risk (though very slight)of someone - a running child, a pool attendant rushing to help someone in difficulty - just accidently nudging the car seat into the pool.

I think the fixed playpen by the poolside is a better idea or (as others have said), find a pool with a creche facility.

Hilllary · 14/05/2007 19:11

Yes it only takes a second for something to happen if you are stuck for a babysitter UCM just let me know

ScottishThistle · 14/05/2007 19:21

Perhaps those of you who have barking rules in place at their local pool ought to get a petition in order???

chocolattegirl · 14/05/2007 19:34

Is there a creche at the pool you can leave your baby in? A decent pool should have a creche available at least during the day.

Re not being able to access the pool for swimming lessons - this has been my gripe for years about my local pool. You can only swim in the evenings two nights a week for an hour each time. The rest of the time the pool is booked out with swimming clubs. No wonder the waiting lists for swimming lessons are so long .

I think the rule about 1:1 ratio is for children under eight or who are non-swimmers but this is open to interpretation by local councils.

Original poster

UCM · 14/05/2007 19:34

Awww Hilllary, that's really nice of you thanks. Right can you have them both for the next month please

OP posts:

Trinityrhino · 14/05/2007 19:37

oh dear, i do this

Hilllary · 14/05/2007 19:38

Yes but only if you have mine for the month after!! - seriously if you get stuck just call for me, I'm a MN groupie

noonar · 14/05/2007 20:08

hi ucm, am so glad you've had a kind offer from hillary, but....am now rather confused by your op .

if you KNOW of this poor woman and her baby that drowned, why would you
a) consider leaving your baby poolside
and
b) question why you are not allowed to do it!

sorry, just don't get it.

Chirpygirl · 14/05/2007 20:12

Hey UCM, it's a council run pool that is joined onto a school so always has lessons but the creche is only open from 9-12 so only really gets SAH or WAHM using it, which is great as it is nearly always empty!

Chirpygirl · 14/05/2007 20:13

Hilllary, what does being an MN groupie involve? Sounds debauched.....

Kathyis6incheshigh · 14/05/2007 20:14

There is a campaign group here .

kslatts · 14/05/2007 20:16

I can't understand the 1:1 ratio, in our local pool it is a 1:3 ratio. I have 2 dc's and have always felt confident that I can supervise them both in the pool.

Shoshable · 14/05/2007 20:18

We have aplaypen that we can put the car seats in, although it is 1 adult to 2 under 8 at our pool.

maisym · 14/05/2007 20:20

never thought of this - seems strange to leave your kid in a car seat/pram in this setting. Just my opinion though.

could you find a babysitter to be with your little one whilst you took your other lo swimming?

Hilllary · 14/05/2007 20:21

Chirpy girl just a way of saying I'm a MN addict, always hanging around on it as in just call me (its always on)

percypig · 14/05/2007 20:22

My leisure centre has a creche two mornings a week - is free too! (when you're doing something in centre)

However, like others, there are very limited times during the day when you can go swimming, and I don't just mean the small pool. I know schools need access for lessons, but it's very frustrating.

My mum got round the ratio and rubbish times problem by getting family membership of a 'health suite' in a local hotel. Unlimited swimming (18 metre pool) jacuzzi, gym etc. and free coffee! She can even take grandchildren (sadly we live too far away for it to be a regular thing for DS). None of the hotels up here do this, otherwise I'd be copying her.

hatwoman · 14/05/2007 20:23

at my old gym they had a play pen at the side of the pool specifically for this - plenty of people used it. I guess without a play pen they'd worry about accidents. (i know, they're incredibly unlikely but you know what they're like...) perhaps you could suggest they have a play pen. as well as suggesting they have people answering the phone who are polite

Chirpygirl · 14/05/2007 20:32

Mine isn't free, it's really expensive, it's £1.50 an hour!

(I don't know, HIllary, still sounds a bit weird )

Original poster

UCM · 14/05/2007 20:40

Noonar, I only know of this lady in passing, have nodded to her once or twice and I completely forgot as the pool that her little one drowned in was in her garden, NOT at the local swimming baths, so I was assuming that providing I put my baby at least 6ft away from the edge, she would be safe, but having read about lifeguards running, another child running etc, I can see why the local pool don't want it really. I do hope this explains.

OP posts:

MrsWho · 14/05/2007 20:41

1:1 for under 5s (but one of the liffeguards was a single mum and pushed fro this to be flexible) and 1:2(or 3?) under 8s.8 year olds can go in on their own

noonar · 15/05/2007 20:01

ucm, that makes more sense now

margoandjerry · 18/05/2007 10:01

sorry this is all mad.

The real risk is that your children won't learn to swim. The real risk is that parents won't take children to swimming pools and get them used to water.

The actual very real fact is that children who don't know how to swim are at risk of drowning.

Compare that risk to the frankly bizarre "risk" that someone is running around the pool (also banned if I recall from those "no petting" posters) at such a pace that they kick a baby in a car seat (probably 10 kilos worth of solid weight) into a pool and nobody notices.

I'm picturing the Incredible Hulk running round the pool and aiming a mighty kick at a baby in a car seat who goes sailing up and into the pool like a rugby ball. It just doesn't happen but children drown every day.

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