To think that it is up to me what I do when my child in swimming lesson.

[swimmingmum6]

My children have swimming lessons at a lovely local swim school. The groups are small. Teacher is with 3-4 children in pool, parents poolside but not involved in lesson. I enjoy watching but also chatting to the other parents and answering the odd email so that I don't have to do it when my children are in bed, or when I'm properly with them.

Just had this posted on Facebook page. AIBU to dislike the tone? I'm not glued to my phone, look up and encourage frequently but I am also a working mum who gets little space in the daytime and reserve the right to catch up with a couple of emails while my child is in the pool supervised and learning.

The post reads:
Recently I have noticed a sharp increase in the use of mobile phones and tablets on poolside during our lessons.

Understanding how busy our lives are parents can be, I would like to trial our poolsides as ‘Digital free’ zones.

I would like to give you all permission to step out of your hectic day whilst your child is swimming with us by turning your phone off or onto silent.

It is wonderful to see a child encouraged and supported by their parent/Carer poolside when they have achieved something new or master a skill they have been working on. These shared experiences will create memories of their precious early years.

I am hoping by giving you permission to delay writing that email or text will enable you to relax, focus on quality time with your child and create a closer ** (name of swimschool) Community!

If you have a sibling waiting for their lesson or their brother/sister why not encourage them to watch, pick up additional teaching points or bring a book or homework to do.

Should you have a pressing matter to attend to or need to make an urgent call, please may I ask you to step out of the pool to do this when swimming with us.

I would appreciate your thoughts on this idea, so please do respond to this post with a 👍🏼 or ❤️ or comment below.

With much love and many thanks,
(Name of swimschool teacher)

What do you think?

Im.suprised you are allowed to take a phone to the lessons most places dont allow.
So what do you intend to do.
Good on her ..

Not patronising at all, it irritates me when parents actively ignore their children when attending swimming etc. See it from the child’s perspective - they can see you not being interested in their activity.

Not patronising at all, it irritates me when parents actively ignore their children when attending swimming etc. See it from the child’s perspective - they can see you not being interested in their activity.

I’d put my phone inside a book and crack on. It’s one thing to ban phones for safeguarding reasons but quite another to ban them so the swim teacher can instruct you on how to be a perfect parent.

achievement

With teacher on this one... I think by even mentioning this on here you maybe feel this is reasonable request.... Nothing better than what you have undertaken for your child as swimming is a life skill we should all have, and I am sure when your child looks up to see you and smiling at you it is worth the minimal effort!

Phones should be banned by swimming pools due to photos. You can do much watching so take a book op. Catch up on your reading

I get the intention, but I've endured nigh on ten years of swimming lessons, with varying degrees of participation and of varying lengths. In addition, the temperature of the poolside seating area is comparable to the inner core of this planet. Very hard to be in the moment when you feel as though you are boiling like a potato for nearly 90 minutes!!!!!!

The number of times I’ve seen children do something in the pool for the first time and look up at a parent for praise then look disappointed because they’re on their phone and didn’t see.

I think every activity should have this rule.

I’d write:

I’m working so I can provide my children swimming lessons. I’m working, but I’m here. My life generally revolves around my children and frankly they are already supported, spoken to, entertained and cared for.

Then I’d ignore it and carry on.

I’m not usually so anti this sort of thing, but for fucks sake, your little darling needs to understand the whole bloody world goes to revolve around them and Mummy has to work.

It's fair enough to say no phones. It should be a rule. Then if parents need to use the phone they step outside.

it irritates me when parents actively ignore their children when attending swimming etc. See it from the child’s perspective - they can see you not being interested in their activity

Sometimes, I’m not.

I spend 30mins one to one every morning with my kids practicing an instrument. I read with one, my DH reads with the other. They then get me sat down eating a breakfast and dinner with them - every day. We read together every evening. My kids get my time, you judge away when you know nothing about the attention and focus a child receives. Honestly, we willl talk about what happened afterwards.

Just wish there was a bar I could go to whilst they were having their swimming lesson!

Lmao callmeadoctor! DH takes ours but frankly if I could get pissed while they were in there I'd rearrange my work hours and go to the pool instead.

In our pool the viewing gallery is too far away so the parents can't really see their kids anyway and the kids can't see their parents so they don't know if they are interested in their activity or not.

If they told me not to use my phone or tablet I'd just read a paper book instead. I used to take a paper magazine to read.

Safeguarding concerns related to phones don't seem to be a concern in swimming pools, although I suppose if someone was obviously taking a photo they'd take action.

Our pool also has a cafe so people could wait there and read/chat/play on their phones.

The number of times I’ve seen children do something in the pool for the first time and look up at a parent for praise then look disappointed because they’re on their phone and didn’t see

it irritates me when parents actively ignore their children when attending swimming etc. See it from the child’s perspective - they can see you not being interested in their activity

I see the perfect mummies are on MN this evening.

This would piss me off! What a joke telling you how you should spend your time! Surely your child should be concentrating on the lesson and the swim teacher and not what’s going on in the gallery!! To say no photos is understandable but to tell you not to use electronic devices and even suggest how siblings should spend time is just patronising!

If being watched while they swim is the best bit of parental attention a child gets all week, there’s something more wrong than the instructor can put right.

It’s far away. It’s noisy. The children are getting the attention of an another adult (who presumably wants their attention, not the back of their head as they gaze lovingly at mum).

FFS, the instructor would do better encouraging you to go home and eat a meal together minus screens. Though that would also be patronising and overstepping their role, obviously.

It's well meaning, but ultimately it's the parents' choice.

About time!!! Good. Leave your concentration for your children, they look up for your attention and see you more interested in your phone. Especially at an activity, don't you recall doing the same? See it daily.

Funny article www.scarymommy.com/ignoring-our-kids-via-cell-phone-is-nothing-new/

I try and give my child as much focus as possible and try and use my phone as little as possible but I find this message so inappropriate.
You are paying someone to teach them. Paying for that privilege. Unless the lesson rules are that parents must stay and watch their child and ensure their safety then I really don’t see on what grounds they have to dictate what parents look at.
It’s so judgemental. No one knows what happens before or after the class - perhaps it’s the one half hour break a lone parent has? Perhaps they have to work?

suggest in the comments that quality bonding time during swim lessons would result in you quitting class and doing the lessons yourself.

Honestly, this would get on my tits too.

I think it's none of the swimming teacher's business, and they should get on with the bloody job they are being paid to do.

This is not a match it's a lesson.

I have done the lessons with my children for years. No phones were allowed in for child protection reasons ie photos etc.

However, for some parents it might be a brief break in a day running around, or a break from work. Whatever it is, it certainly isn't the business of the swimming coach.

Leave your concentration for your children

Yep how dare a mother ever EVER take their attention of their child.

let us forever go forth and scowl and guilt trip total strangers about shit parenting.

it doesn't matter that they maybe are the most amazing parent at all other times.
That 30mins when they away from you being taught by another adult. Is the MOST crucial point in their lives.

If you don't keep constant eye contact in that while 30mins. They will end up in counselling for the rest of their lives!

You have been warned. If you are not a good mother in that 30mins their lives are ruined forever.
Shame on you.