To not stay for the lesson??

[ratherstuck]

I take DC who is 5 to a swimming lesson at local leisure centre. Whilst I would love to watch him learn to swim, the parents viewing area is small, over crowded, smelly and hot. They do require parents to stay but I can't see a thing with so many people in the way anyway. I also have little one with me so he just watches or sits there each week. We have been going just under a year and my DC gets on fine, does not need me.
Wibu to take my little one for a swim in the baby pool and big DC can come and find us when done? DC can't see us in the crowd anyway so won't make any difference to him. We would still be close by if needed?
What do other people do?

No I've seen lots of parents do this in my area. Sometimes the parents go for a swim on their own, I think it's fine.

Check with the teacher. If they require parents to stay there may be a reason. It must just mean they require you to be in the building, in which case you would be fine to be in the other pool.

Is the little pool in the same room as the pool your DS is in? As a lot of parents at my local swimming pool either swim with siblings or by themselves whilst their DC has a lesson

Ours does this as the staff can't take your child to the toilet, if required.

I'd swim. But I would keep an eye on the time and go over to the teaching area at the end. 5 is too young to be 'going and finding' at the end. (Depending on layout of the whole place of course).

As long as he can go to the toilets by himself and get himself back to the teacher I see no reason why not.

Sounds fine to me.

Thanks. The pool is on the other side of changing rooms but definitely not far. Yes DC is self sufficient but am a bit worried about safety as it gets busy. I will make sure I am waiting just before the end of the lesson.

I've taken my stepson since he was 5. I always go for a swim myself. No other children just utilise the time to get my exercise in. Never been a problem. He comes and finds me when hes done.

Check with teacher... When my ds was learning they weren't allowed to leave pool until parent was there to collect