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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:
soulrider · 13/01/2019 19:23

Our swimming club has the last session on a Sunday night The staff are always starting to clean up and start to close, but we're never herded out. The quickest people probably take about 15 minutes, with everyone done in 30 minutes (and we're all adults)

There should be a reasonable allowance to get changed after an activity and I don't think YABU to think 15 minutes isn't enough.

soulrider · 13/01/2019 19:23

YANBU to think 15 minutes isn't enough.

3out · 13/01/2019 19:23

The moisturising does only take a minute, but it then makes getting them changed take loads longer because the clothes don’t fly on like they do with dry skin, so it’s slowing the process.

NameChangeNugget · 13/01/2019 19:24

I think I will be rebellious and use the public changing rooms in future (which are actually empty so not like it will hurt anyone). If they want us out in 15 mins, then I guess this what I'll have to do. That'll be my next AIBU if I'm caught!

Smash the system Wink

PrivateDoor · 13/01/2019 19:25

Sounds like a nightmare op. My guess is that they don't want you using the public changing area because it has been cleaned, the team changing probably can wait as it won't necessarily be used early the next day. However that seems the obvious solution, I would just go ahead and use it, since others are anyway. Hopefully she will move up a level soon and you will be able to select a more convenient time, fingers crossed!

I also like the pp suggestion of a swimming cap, is that not an option?

greenelephantscarf · 13/01/2019 19:26

yanbu
showering after swimming is vital for those with skin issues..
if they want to close up earlier they need to finish the last class earlier.

soulrider · 13/01/2019 19:26

I also like the pp suggestion of a swimming cap, is that not an option?

Swimming caps do not prevent your hair getting wet, I'm surprised how often people assume they do.

Original poster
Gushpanka · 13/01/2019 19:26

Unfortunately, we don't have any other options. This is the only pool that has a lesson which meets our needs.

So here's the breakdown of the timing today:
18:00 Lesson ends
18:02 Child exits pool (this is frustrating but i have zero control over this bit - will have to talk to teacher)
18:04: In shower
18:07: FInish shower but then child needs to wee
18:09: Finishes wee
18:12: Hurry along corridor, down stairs and in changing room
18:17: Dried ,ready and dressed in all the winter gear
18:19: Up stairs, at door

Not showering at all would shave off 3 minutes. I'd still need to go up and around to get to changing rooms. There's no direct access to pool from them other than to go through out to reception area which obviously can't do with a wet child.

OP posts:
StrawberrySquash · 13/01/2019 19:26

Using the nearby changing rooms sounds like a sensible move. But I think the people in the wrong most are the people managing the centre who are not paying the staff sufficient locking up time. It pisses me off when shops etc do this. If a shop shuts at 6, you should be paying staff past that to tidy and close up etc.

PrivateDoor · 13/01/2019 19:28

Soul, it always has for me though? Though the rubber ones tend to be very tight on me as I have a big head, so perhaps that is why? Blush

tillytrotter1 · 13/01/2019 19:29

My 9 and 11 year olds are faffers extraordinaire

Something you need to rectify then, at that age they should be able to sort themselves out quickly, excuses enable them to never change.

SoupDragon · 13/01/2019 19:30

I don't want to shower her at home as it's already late for her

The shower itself will take the same length of time. If you did it at home it'd actually be quicker without the need to walk along long corridors and up and down flights of stairs.

I thought this too.

Notwiththeseknees · 13/01/2019 19:31

Can't believe most of these replies to be honest! Some people must have a very strange idea of how long 15 minutes is.
Given the constraints placed on you, I would absolutely tell the next lurker that I was going as fast as I can but that it isn't possible with the current system.
It sounds very stressful, no time to chat, no time to discuss the lesson & what she enjoyed, just dragged down the corridor at full pelt to meet their target.
Write to the management and complain. You are a service user and they are ruining your child's experience.
Bet they are not so keen to lurk when there is a burly 6'4" trans woman changing in there.

BikeRunSki · 13/01/2019 19:31

How come you were told to use the team changing rooms, but the others parents use those by the pool? Are they all rebelling? If so, I imagine that the pool is well aware and there is safety in numbers in this case.

Original poster
Gushpanka · 13/01/2019 19:33

"The shower itself will take the same length of time. If you did it at home it'd actually be quicker without the need to walk along long corridors and up and down flights of stairs."

No, would still need to do all of that walking to get to the team changing room from the pool. The assumption is that everyone showers after swimming I guess. The solution is to use the public changing room. That's the only way to avoid long corridor and up and down a flight of stairs.

OP posts:
masterandmargarita · 13/01/2019 19:33

I'm pretty sure when I was a kid I never showered straight after lessons. My skin was and is fine - as is my hair.

drspouse · 13/01/2019 19:34

We have a much more convenient setup and rarely are out in 15 mins. YANBU at all.
I've been to a similar pool with oddly located steps/shower which is a pain.

hoki · 13/01/2019 19:34

I think YANBU and you'd think they'd have a few jobs to do to clean the place etc. but if its only once a week could you skip the moisturising step? Also, let them stand over you. They're not going to put you out in the street in your towel with a child so do your best to be speedy but don't be bullied

soulrider · 13/01/2019 19:35

Was the advice to use the team changing room particular to just your lesson or more generic? It may be that at other times of day there isn't the space to accommodate the children coming out of lessons and members of the public going into a public session for example. As your lesson is just before the pool closes it may not be an issue for you to use the public changing rooms.

drspouse · 13/01/2019 19:36

Showering at home would mean changing out of swim suit plus drying, changing again at home and drying again. We get straight into pyjamas from swimming so it means an extra drying plus an extra changing.

Original poster
Gushpanka · 13/01/2019 19:37

"How come you were told to use the team changing rooms, but the others parents use those by the pool? Are they all rebelling? If so, I imagine that the pool is well aware and there is safety in numbers in this case."

There were two other mums at the class today. Don't know what the dads did. One mum used the team changing room but has an older boy so guess she was faster. Other mum must have used the public one as I saw her coming down the stairs as we were trying to get out. It's only a class of 6.

Actually the one other i saw in the team changing room today was the teacher and SHE mentioned to me that she finds it stressful herself and that she will speak to the management (yes, equivalent to a council pool, not in UK but local municipality run)

OP posts:
Yura · 13/01/2019 19:38

It takes us under 10 minutes to get out - shower and moisturiser inclusive. we use a toweling poncho and change in underwear and onesie afterwards (for you could be pyjama and onesie)

C0untDucku1a · 13/01/2019 19:38

I actually dont think 15 minutes is long enough with a 4 year old. But i also bet they dont get paid for it. I worked in retail while at uni. Pubs, shops and a bakery. Closing time was the end of payment. We were expected to work at least ten minutes after to tidy up.

Original poster
Gushpanka · 13/01/2019 19:40

"They're not going to put you out in the street in your towel with a child so do your best to be speedy but don't be bullied"

I know and they're not mean or anything (and again i don't blame them if that's their finishing time) and I did say today 'I'm sorry I'll need 5 more minutes, I'm going as fast as I can' so what can they do? They can see I'm trying!

OP posts:
Babypug · 13/01/2019 19:41

Moan and complain to the relevant people that can answer you and give you reasons behind their decisions.
You've asked the question on this forum - are you being unreasonable and just read the feedback!