Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. Only the apps you allow.

Meet the Other Phone.
Only the apps you allow.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
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:
MsChookandtheelvesofFahFah · 13/01/2019 20:04

Lol at suggestions of not getting the full 'experience'. It's a swimming lesson for a four year old ffs. We used to dry our kids poolside and be walking home within five minutes. Certainly didn't think about being cheated out of the showers, hairdryers or a cosy chat. No wonder there are so many 'faffers'. We take year 2s swimming every week and within a couple of weeks they all have a non-faff routine off pat and we still all have time to laugh and chat about the lesson.

AWishForWingsThatWork · 13/01/2019 20:05

15 minutes is ridiculous, especially if it's like a pool we used to go to that had 3 showers, total, and lots of classes and lots of children that needed help sorting long hair.

It's not enough time.

There should be half an hour at least after the last lesson of the day before they close down ... but be careful what you ask for ... they may cancel the lesson slot.

Seeeker · 13/01/2019 20:07

This reply has been withdrawn

Message from MNHQ: This post has been withdrawn

Sparrowlegs248 · 13/01/2019 20:07

I don't think it's unreasonable to want to shower after swimming. I would use an aveeno cream as a "soap" to cut down on time, you won't need to moisturize her then.

Although in all honesty, it's a very odd time for them to schedule a lesson for a 4 yr old.

I'd ask about changing the time of the lesson, surely such a young group should have an earlier lesson?

SilverySurfer · 13/01/2019 20:09

It's nice you spend time with your DC, the staff would probably like to do the same with theirs when they get home and are being kept waiting. I'm not sure I understand your logic re showering at home being too late. If showering/moisturizing takes, say, 10 minutes at the pool, if you don't do it at the pool you arrive home 10 minutes earlier and do it then what's the difference?

Walkingdeadfangirl · 13/01/2019 20:10

They are selling a service, you don't like the service. So don't buy the service. The 'pool' is under no obligation to cater for anyone's particular whims? Confused

If there are no other appropriate classes available then join a private gym, or hire an individual swimming coach for a time of your choosing, or wait until your DD is older or start your own swimming group, or even teach her yourself!

Bloodyfucksake · 13/01/2019 20:13

I see what OP is saying, but its not the leisure centre workers who make these rules, yet it is these workers and their families who loose out while your 4 year old gets moisturiser.

One of my DC is 5 and attends lessons at the local pool. Parents are not allowed in the changing area and the kids are really out the pool, dried and dressed in about 3 minutes. They have to wear joggies and a sweater to make it easy. He has a shower at home and everyone is happy.

I think you might have to wash at home.

Legohell · 13/01/2019 20:19

Haven’t read the thread yet...

Could you ask for your daughter to leave the pool a little earlier? (Not fair I know but as she’s the littlest ... plus no waiting for showers)

Six is late for a 4 year old, is there a weekend session or one at another pool?

Ask the pool if enough people were interested (find out minimum number) could they schedule an earlier session.

AnchorDownDeepBreath · 13/01/2019 20:22

I don't expect staff to stay on unpaid. I don't blame the staff. I think the pool should pay them to stay for 10 more minutes to allow us to get ready if they schedule lessons that late for this age group.

Realistically if you complain and ask for that, they are more likely to cancel the class then pay for an additional ten minutes.

I think your options are either to get her out of the pool five minutes early, speed up your routine or do some of it at home.

We have similar at my pool (lessons strangely close to closing time) so I shower and wash my hair at home. It's a faff but it works.

pissedofftoday · 13/01/2019 20:22

I think it depends.

What time are they open till.
What are their t and c's after class

Original poster
Gushpanka · 13/01/2019 20:23

"Although in all honesty, it's a very odd time for them to schedule a lesson for a 4 yr old. "

I agree. But they added this class on later and announced it in a separately once all the other classes had already been advertized so maybe this was the only time they could do it. It's a specialized class which meets certain needs of the children (communication issues) so I was quite excited for DD as she couldn't have gone to swimming lessons otherwise. The age range is 4-6 and DD is the youngest in the class. When we first started, they had something going on in the pool afterwards so it wasn't an issue. It only started some time in November that they told us we had 15 minutes. Perhaps I wouldn't have begun if I have known this ahead of time but now we have paid for the whole year and, after reading some of the responses here, now I think we definitely should have time to get ready as it's part and parcel of what we have paid for.

However, I will try using the public changing rooms adn see what happens next week.

OP posts:
Charlie97 · 13/01/2019 20:23

@Gushpanka no I'm not insane, but my point was it's all about you, your child, her skin, her getting to bed.......not one thought that the people who work there, may have lives and children.

You ABVVVVU and extremely selfish.

Charlie97 · 13/01/2019 20:24

@Gushpanka if it doesn't suit, with teach your child to swim yourself or leave it until she is older.

AllMYSmellySocks · 13/01/2019 20:25

I think you just have to accept that if you have the last lesson of the day you get less time to shower and moisturise etc. If you need lots of time for those things you need to book an earlier lesson.

partinor · 13/01/2019 20:25

Is the pool privately hired for swimming lessons? Because this sounds like my local pool. So the pool is privately hired for the last hour, but centre closes 15 mins later.

Birdshitbridgegotme · 13/01/2019 20:28

If you just got dressed and go home you will be out in 10 mins then once you are home can shower and moisturize. It will take no longer doing it that way around than what it would if they gave you extra time in the changing rooms only difference is you will be home and doing it. Hth

Original poster
Gushpanka · 13/01/2019 20:31

"If you just got dressed and go home you will be out in 10 mins then once you are home can shower and moisturize. It will take no longer doing it that way around than what it would if they gave you extra time in the changing rooms only difference is you will be home and doing it. Hth"

No, because it still takes time to get dry and dressed. Especially in all the winter gear because we cycle.

And then when we get home, need to get undressed, showered, dried and dressed again.

So, no, overall it will certainly not save us time. BTDT.

OP posts:
Crunchymum · 13/01/2019 20:32

Another vote for drying off poolside and heading home for shower etc there.

reallyanotherone · 13/01/2019 20:33

I don’t understand the insistance on showering etc at the pool for one big reason..

Ime, and both my kids were swimmers, so i have seen a lot of public swimming pools, public changing rooms are basic, and even if you’re lucky enough to find it reasonably clean, they are hardly luxurious. Generally the kids shower in costumes, as individual shower cubicles are rare, and if present there’s a massive queue.

Showers you have to dance around to get wet in the single drip of cold water.

Hair dryers are hoses which waft a bit of slightly warm air, which are too high for children anyway.

Floors are damp and puddly, as are any benches by the end of the night as kids stand on them to avoid the puddles. So getting changes you normally end up with wet pants or trousers anyway. You never get properly dry after swimming so clothes/pj’s end up damp.

Go home. Get in your own nice, warm, proper shower. Big fluffy towels so you can be thoroughly dry. Decent hairdryer.

It’s going to take half the time to shower and hair dry at home, and be a much nicer experience.

So why the fight to use swimming pool facilities :)

Original poster
Gushpanka · 13/01/2019 20:33

"I think you just have to accept that if you have the last lesson of the day you get less time to shower and moisturise etc. If you need lots of time for those things you need to book an earlier lesson."

There is no earlier class that meets DD's need. Surely it's the other way aorund? If the pool schedules (and takes full payment) for a lesson at the end of the day, they should ensure that there is sufficent time to allow for a quick shower and to get small children dressed and ready to go out in the winter air.

OP posts:
Crunchymum · 13/01/2019 20:33

And if it take an extra 10 minutes then so be it...... you're happy to put the staff out for 10 minutes but wouldn't add 10 minutes to your own evening routine????

lifetothefull · 13/01/2019 20:36

I actually think it is unreasonable for a pool to be making their paying customers feel as if they can't have a shower after a swim. It's not really about whether OP could get out quicker if she tried harder. surely if you've been swimming you want to wash your hair after. I would not want to have to skip a shower only to get home and get wet all over again.

SuziQ10 · 13/01/2019 20:37

I'm sure they don't get paid for waiting around if you're not out by closing time.

Choose a class that works for you. On another day / that finished earlier if you're finding the current situation unsuitable.

dontticklethetoad · 13/01/2019 20:37

How does your child wear a cycle helmet with a balaclava on?

greenelephantscarf · 13/01/2019 20:40

you can get cycling/skiing balaklavas that fit under helmets