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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To ask if 5/6 I too young for a pool party?

78 replies

PumpkinPie2016 · 05/05/2019 15:44

My DS will be six at the end of Nov. He will be Y1 and most of his friends will be 5 as he is one of the oldest. DS has swimming lessons and can swim unaided. I know a few kids in the class have lessons but I don't know if all do.

I was thinking of having a pool party for his sixth birthday. It would be held in a leisure centre learner pool. The pool is only 0.9m deep everywhere and there are arm discs/woggles. Me, DH and my parents would definitely be willing to get in - me, my mum and DH are all excellent swimmers. My dad can swim - not amazing but certainly competent enough.

Other parents would be welcome to join us in the pool or watch.

Would you/your child be ok with a pool party at this age of do you think it's too young? I don't want a load of people not coming because they don't like the idea.

OP posts:
Cranky17 · 05/05/2019 15:46

Personally I wouldn’t send mine without me being in the pool which I would hate to do as I hate my body, and no way would I go swimming with other parents.

thisshitgotreal · 05/05/2019 15:47

I probably wouldn't be keen tbh and would likely decline a party invite like that but neither of my kids are great swimmers so it would really worry me (and I personally wouldn't want to get my cossie on and get in the pool to supervise!) - sorry....

Sexnotgender · 05/05/2019 15:47

I probably think it’s a bit young.

Pascha · 05/05/2019 15:47

At that age the ratio would need to be at least 1 adult to 2 children. I think it's a bit young as many 5yo wont be very confident in the water (although many may be fine of course). Sound out the parents.

Hollowvictory · 05/05/2019 15:48

No way would most pools let them in without a parent, have you checked?

LeekMunchingSheepShagger · 05/05/2019 15:49

I hated pool parties when my dc were under 8, because the adult:child ratio in our local pools is 1:2 so most of the parents had to get in the water with them.

icanthelpyou · 05/05/2019 15:49

Been to a few, just needed some parents in the pool too, makes a nice change.

Redcrayons · 05/05/2019 15:50

For my own I think it would have been two young. I would have got in the pool with them as neither of them could swim at that age.

Have you checked what the ratio adult to Child the leisure centre expect?

SolitudeIsHighlyOverrated · 05/05/2019 15:51

My children would have loved it at that age - they swam like fish!

You would probably need to check supervision ratios, ie how many children an adult can legally be responsible for whilst in the water. You may find that limits your numbers. Also, will normal pool staff/lifeguards be there providing support? Will you have exclusive access to the pool during the party or will you have other kids in the pool which would make supervision more difficult?

Babynut1 · 05/05/2019 15:51

My DS is in reception and we’ve had a couple of pool parties this year and they’ve been great fun. Parents have come in too and it’s been great. Some didn’t go and it’s not everyone’s cup of tea but it hasn’t put anyone off. I’m planning on doing one for DS 6th Birthday next year x

waterrat · 05/05/2019 15:52

I couldn't send my 5 yrs old to a pool party unless I got in with her as she cant swim and I can't imagine her feeling confident enough. Kids do love pool parties but realistically you will need a lot of tj parents to get involved too.

waterrat · 05/05/2019 15:53

Can I ask why you are worrying about this as it's only may!!

kaytee87 · 05/05/2019 15:53

Way too young. I would want to supervise mine myself and tbh wouldn't fancy having to get in at a pool party. I'd probably make an excuse and not attend.

PuppyMonkey · 05/05/2019 15:53

I’d say no to a swimming pool party at ANY age tbh.Grin

Such a lot of faff and hassle and as a parent you feel obliged to stay and keep an eye on DC plus sort out getting them changed afterwards. Shudder at the memory, thank god mine are too old now.

Gilbert1A · 05/05/2019 15:54

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Someoneonlyyouknow · 05/05/2019 15:55

Would you plan to invite the whole class? Best to check the adult to child ratio with the leisure centre. I think it's a bit young unless you are just inviting a few people. Most pools alter the ratio requirements after 8 years. I also think a shallow learner pool might be chilly for the adults?

TeenTimesTwo · 05/05/2019 15:58

Too young. Supervision nightmare.
You also need to factor in who is overseeing changing & going to the loo mid party.

DD2 could swim at that age, but when she had lessons in y4 only about 1/3rd of the class were capable of even struggling up a length.

Eisley · 05/05/2019 16:01

I teach year 1 and know that at least half my class can't swim. I'd leave it for a few years although I know my step daughter, who is yr1, would adore this idea!

Figgygal · 05/05/2019 16:03

My ds is yeAr 2 now but has had pool party invites since starting school.
As long as I don't have to get in crack on but if I did have to he wouldn't go sorry

pikapikachu · 05/05/2019 16:04

My kids weren't invited to pool parties until they were 9+. A lot of parents wouldn't want to get into a swimsuit in front of school friends and there's the issue of who looks after siblings if one is going to the party. Does the venue allow the child:adult ratio that you're suggesting?

BlueMerchant · 05/05/2019 16:04

I wouldn't feel happy letting my DC attend at that age. Even now I'd likely say no and they 8&9.

teddyneedsawash · 05/05/2019 16:05

Been swimming with year 3 lately and less than a third of a class of 24 could swim at all.

megletthesecond · 05/05/2019 16:08

Too young.
I went in at a 8yr olds party and while the minimum age was 8 it was frankly pretty risky as not all of the kids could swim, mine could. I ended up having to help those that couldn't.

LadyLooLaa · 05/05/2019 16:08

Check the ratio requirements at the pool you’re planning to use. If it is 1-2, then I’d suggest not doing it yet. I recently took Ds to a pool party and assumed I’d have to go in (in the end there were enough other parents - dads mostly - who went in) and I was dreading it. If you wait until you don’t need to worry about ratios you’ll be a lot more popular I reckon.

itsboiledeggsagain · 05/05/2019 16:11

id say it is immaterial whether they can swim. it is all about ratios.

I did it in y1 but it was with a group of good school friends and all parents were happy to swim. We invited siblings too so in many cases mums and dads got it. It was brill.

It was also not clear who could swim or not they all just had fun.

you just need parents who are up for it and as you can see not all are