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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

About family at swimming

42 replies

Kia123456 · 16/08/2019 17:30

My DD 10 attends swimming lessons on a Friday night. It’s a busy time with lots of lessons running and very limited seating.
Most children come with 1 adult and maybe a sibling. However, there is this one family that turns up and takes over the seating area. 2 adults and 3 additional kids. Plus they take an extra chair for all the jackets and bags they have. I’ve only ever seen one child go into a lesson so I don’t think the other children are there for swimming too, just to watch? AIBU to be really annoyed at this and think if there is limited seats available you don’t bring the whole family to watch? I’m often left standing at the back. I have a disability that makes standing for 30 minutes difficult but it’s not an obvious disability so no one would realise and I would feel cheeky asking someone to give up their seat for me.

OP posts:
Chocolatecake12 · 16/08/2019 17:33

I don’t understand this either op - same as a family trip to the supermarket!
Maybe they have their reasons.
But I do think that they can put their bags and coats on their laps and let you have the seat - you just need to put your big girl pants on and ask!

whattodowith · 16/08/2019 17:33

You really should just ask for a seat.

adaline · 16/08/2019 17:35

Maybe they go on elsewhere before or after?

Angel2702 · 16/08/2019 17:36

We usually have to do this as we have to go elsewhere straight afterwards and only have one car.

Invisimamma · 16/08/2019 17:40

Maybe they only have one car, or need to go straight from work, or one parent has an issue/disability that means they can't be alone with the other children...so many reasons they might all need to be there

They are being unreasonable to take up an extra seat with jackets and bags. Just ask them to move them so that you can sit.

Original poster
Kia123456 · 16/08/2019 17:43

I definitely can’t bring myself to ask so I’ll just stand at the back silently raging. 🤣
The pool is open to the public even when the lessons are on so maybe they could take the other children in to the pool? Or get the kids to share seats/sit on laps?

Or maybe I’m just grumpy and want to sit down.

OP posts:
malmi · 16/08/2019 17:44

Seats are for people so TANBU to occupy them. The coats shouldn't get their own seat. Just ask them if they could move the coats so you can sit down, like you would on a train.

munemema · 16/08/2019 17:44

I can't imagine anyone would do that for fun without a reason, but you should at least ask them to move the coats so you can sit

SexFarmWoman · 16/08/2019 17:45

Just ask for a seat.

They might be en route from somewhere else, they might be en route to somewhere else, they might just always do everything as a whole family.

AmIThough · 16/08/2019 17:47

Maybe both parents have been at work all week and want to spend time as a family?

Ask for a seat or get there early.

Ginseng1 · 16/08/2019 17:51

Why would you not just u ask for the seat with the coats??? It's unusual Id also wonder why the whole lot need to go but Yabu to just stand there seething n in pain when there's a seat just with coats on!!

crosstalk · 16/08/2019 18:11

If you're unhappy with this and can't bring yourself to actually talk to them and explain, then perhaps you could ask the staff?

Dippypippy1980 · 16/08/2019 18:41

Thy aren’t unreasonable for sitting, they are unreasonable for taking up a seat with coats and bags.

Simply say excuse me, would you mind moving these, I really need the seat.,

00100001 · 16/08/2019 18:45

YABU

You're complaining about not being able to sit down and being in pain when there's a perfectly serviceable seat available Confused

PortiaCastis · 16/08/2019 18:55

Just ask them to move some coats, tell them you need a seat because you're disabled they won't know unless you tell them

Likethebattle · 16/08/2019 18:58

I’d ask them to move their stuff as I need a seat. I have zero tolerance for bags etc is chairs. I sometimes on purpose pick the train seat some ignoramus has their stuff on.

georgialondon · 16/08/2019 18:58

It's Would definitely ask to use the seat they are using for their belongings! That's cheeky fuckery.

zeezee3 · 16/08/2019 19:11

Get there first! Confused

purplelila2 · 16/08/2019 20:43

err get there earlier 🤦‍♀️

feathermucker · 16/08/2019 20:44

Really simple.

Ask for a seat.

Wellmet · 16/08/2019 20:45

I swear this exact thread was posted years ago! Even down to the invisible disability.

PumpkinPie2016 · 16/08/2019 20:50

I'd definitely ask them to move the coats etc. so you can sit down. Coats and bags are inanimate objects that don't require seats!

I must say, I don't understand taking the whole family to such things. I saw similar in the dentist the other day - one lady visiting the dentist but chose to bring 5 children plus another adult into the very small waiting room. Dentist is near to a park and several cafes - why not send the other adult and dc to the park while they wait?!

reginafelangee · 16/08/2019 20:53

Just ask for a seat or get there earlier.

How many people who attend per family is not relevant. If that is how they want to spend their time then that is up to them.

Passthecherrycoke · 16/08/2019 20:56

There can’t only be 5 seats. Just sit elsewhere?

Or as above, arrive earlier than them. You can bring whoever you want to your swimming lesson, there isn’t a number limit!

amy85 · 16/08/2019 21:01

This drives me insane....just like family food shopping trips

Those saying get their earlier...that won't work as you usually have to take your child into the changing rooms and then to poolside....so while you are doing that the kid with the whole family are there one parent is saving seats while the other is in the changing rooms

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