AIBU kids on beach while you're in the sea?

[beachquestion]

I’m hoping MN might help resolve an issue for me. We’re divorced parents, so holidaying alone.

My kids’ father thinks that it should be ok to leave our 4 and 6 year old alone on the beach while he goes for a swim, provided that he’s checked it out and tide is out so he’s less far away.

I think that regardless of tide/conditions that it’s not safe to leave kids that young alone on the beach while their only adult is in the sea, and he’d be too far away to really be able to look after them. They’d have to be at least a few years older for me to feel safe doing that.

Am I being overly cautious or is he not being cautious enough? Neither child can swim confidently in the sea. 6yr old is pretty sensible but youngest still only 4.

I'm pretty laissez-faire with things like this usually but this is a mad idea!

4 and 6 is far too young. Even without the added dangerous element of the water, they have little sense at that age, anything could happen.

I was at the beach today with my 8 and 5 year olds and no way would I have left them in the sand whilst going in the sea.

All 3 of us went paddling/jumping over waves but not swimming.

They could wonder off or worse still someone snatch one of them. I'd not allow him to take them if he can't be bothered to leave ok after them properly. Would he leave them in the hotel room and go off to the bar?

I think it was reckless to leave a child on the beach and go out swimming in the sea when you’re the only parent on the scene.

you’re entitled to your own thoughts but having borne witness to the devastation that one act left behind it is not something I’d be keen on doing (less keen if I were a line/single parent).

you won’t change my mind.

I'd hate to share parenting with someone so fucking stupid tbh, i'd never be able to relax!

Yep!

They’re no good in the sea, kids get swept away.

Absolutely not ok. I wouldn’t trust his judgement in any area of child care if he thinks that’s ok.

@CherryMaDeara I was kind of assuming other safety precautions were being taken.

@CherryMaDeara And an inflatable unicorn raft is not a "flotation device"

I'm glad he's realised he can't leave them on the beach, I must say just the thought of it made me go cold.

So far as swimming with them both is concerned, it's probably OK if he stays firmly in the shallows and preferably within sight of any lifeguards.

I take my eyes off my children for a few seconds yes. But swimming in the sea while tiny children are next to the sea is completely different. Genuinely I think you need to reassess that risk.