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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Swimming pool closing on us

391 replies

Gushpanka · 13/01/2019 18:37

My Dd is 4 and has a swimming lesson 17.30-18.00 at our local pool. It's the last lesson of the day and public swimming ends quite a bit earlier.

They expect us out by 18.15 and staff will stand over us, hurrying us up if we go over. I find it quite stressful and, try as I might, I can't be be out within 15 minutes (unless we skip showering which I don't want to do).

First of all, lesson ends and then have to get kids out the pool. The complex is big so we have to go up a flight of stairs to the showers, along a long corridor and down two flights to the team changing room and then up a flight of stairs to the exit.

I have to shower DD and wash her hair (just a quick wash, no conditioning etc). Then down to changing room (wrapped in towel of course). Then quick moisturize (can't skip as she has dry skin but literally dry her and slather it on as quick as possible), then get her dressed. Obviously no time for hair drying so I bring a balaclava for her (we bike so I would much rather dry her hair). Then coats, boots, winter gear etc.

I never manage in 15 mins. Some of the others do but DD is the youngest in the class and, well, I guess we're just not as fast as others.

But AIBU to think 15 minutes to be out the door after a swimming lesson is too little time? I annoys me that they don't seem to leave enough time but maybe we're just too slow?

OP posts:
recently · 14/01/2019 12:24

Tut = yura

TeenTimesTwo · 14/01/2019 12:31

YANBU.
15 minutes is too short to expect you to get a child from pool to leaving. Just because some people can do it in that time, doesn't mean it is a reasonable expectation for everyone.
30 minutes would be much more reasonable.

Yura · 14/01/2019 12:41

@recently of course they do if they fit and are put on properly (well, the rubber version does, the fabruc version doesn‘t)

Yura · 14/01/2019 12:43

My hair goes down to my hips. braid, roll on top of head, well fitting swimming cap on, dry hair even when diving wtc(a bit damp in the neck, but that’s it)

soulrider · 14/01/2019 13:49

It sounds like the amount of hair you have means a swim hat fits much tighter than is typical. I don't know anybody whose hair stays dry under a cap in my club. It's very much the exception if yours does.

Yura · 14/01/2019 15:01

really, try different hats! my son has a typical short boys cut, and also dry hair. with a fitting hat, swimming in winter us much, much easier

Nesssie · 14/01/2019 15:06

I don't think I could go form pool to out the door in 15 mins, let alone a 4 year old. If the lesson goes on til 18.00 then they are BU to close at 18.15.
I would just ignore them. Don't take the piss but just do what you need to do in the shortest amount of time. If that's 16 mins or 26 mins, then so be it.

Jeanclaudejackety · 14/01/2019 16:13

Does sound like a bit of a big complex but tbh how about rinse in shower dead quick, straight into a toweling onesie like a Swimzi and then home and straight in a bath with emollient to help skin?

Original poster
Gushpanka · 14/01/2019 17:38

I've written an email asking for 30 minutes. I was looking on the website for any terms and conditions as suggested and i found that after closing for public swimming they give everyone half an hour to exit before closing. Given that they close at 22.00 on weekdays, this means that they're perfectly willing to hang about until 22.30 to close and clearly think 30 mins is a reasonable amount of time. So i expect same consideration.

OP posts:
Turquoise123 · 14/01/2019 17:40

I would struggle in 15 mins with that walk. Does not sound much fun

Lala2018 · 14/01/2019 17:50

I would take as long as I needed within reason.

They should extend their hours, or move the time they finish lessons if they are unable to provide adequate changing time after.

You have paid for the lessons, they aren't doing you a favour.

Horrordoeurvres · 14/01/2019 17:59

This must be a joke, what a completely selfish person you are.
Making people wait past their shift time ( more than likely unpaid) because you want to shower and moisturise your child? get a grip.

Do everyone involved a favour and change to an earlier lesson.

NK493efc93X1277dd3d6d4 · 14/01/2019 18:00

Ffs - there simply isn't time for a shower as it stands. I realise it's not ideal or fair of them to expect the public to vacate within 15 mins but if they won't change it then you are going to have to adapt your routine to suit.

NK493efc93X1277dd3d6d4 · 14/01/2019 18:02

Swimming hats will only keep hair dry if you do not put your head under. They are designed to keep hair off face and not hair dry. This applies to them all.

NK493efc93X1277dd3d6d4 · 14/01/2019 18:06

This must be a joke, what a completely selfish person you are.

What a joke of a comment. It's hardly the OP's fault, more a case of the managers taking the proverbial!

BollocksToBrexit · 14/01/2019 18:10

You've mentioned a couple of times that this class is the only one suitable for your DD because it's adapted for children with communication difficulties. Does this mean that it's children with SN who are expected to be dried, dressed and out in 15 minutes?

Satsumaeater · 14/01/2019 18:12

It sounds like it BtoB but the OP has also said that the other parents manage the process within 15 minutes.

There are faffers and non-faffers in this world. It sounds like the OP is in the former category and the other parents in the latter.

If everyone was struggling with the deadine, the OP would be on firmer ground.

However, with the update that the deadline is usually 30 mins, that has changed my mind. What's with the rushing of the OP's class if it's normally 30 mins?

AGHHHH · 14/01/2019 18:13

Bet they are not so keen to lurk when there is a burly 6'4" trans woman changing in there.

Did I miss the part which showed whythis was relevant? Confused

Kikipost · 14/01/2019 18:24

YANBU

Heratnumber7 · 14/01/2019 18:25

we have to go up a flight of stairs to the showers, along a long corridor and down two flights to the team changing room and then up a flight of stairs to the exit

Sounds odd.

If you're not prepared to forgo the shower, or the moisturising, I'd suggest getting DD out of the lesson 5 mins early.

Kikipost · 14/01/2019 18:27

we have to go up a flight of stairs to the showers, along a long corridor and down two flights to the team changing room and then up a flight of stairs to the exit

Why the heck do you want to attend this gym?? What a horrendous design

BethH94 · 14/01/2019 18:33

I don’t think that sounds enough time tbh. Surely they can’t expect every child to be showered dried and out within 15 minutes, some kids won’t sit still etc to get ready that quick. If they(the staff) have an issue with this then maybe they should consider making the class earlier.

Original poster
Gushpanka · 14/01/2019 18:41

As I've said, given that 30 minutes is considered the reasonable amount of time for adults post swimning at 22.00, I'm perfectly happy now that i anbu

And i also am now completely confident that wanting to have a quick shower (3 minutes!) after swimming is not U either

Thanks all for your help!

OP posts:
Original poster
Gushpanka · 14/01/2019 18:45

Satsuma

Presumably because it's Sunday and they've figured they can get away with rushing the last class whereas the 30 mins during the week is clearly written on their site (well, clear for locals who actually speak the language and not those of us reliant on google translate :) )
Admittedly I'm not fast but we were out, with a wee break, at 18.20 yesterday so only 5 minutes past. Some other parents are faster and some use the public changing rooms. I move fast since its already late so want to get out myself asap.

OP posts:
ferrier · 14/01/2019 18:52

It is unreasonable for a swimming pool to expect people to go home after swimming, or indeed any physical activity, without having time to shower including washing hair first.
The centre should close 30 minutes after the last activity and staff should be paid until this time.

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