To go swimming in the sea whilst the kids are in bed?

[Maezzle]

We live by the sea. It is fifteen metres through the garden from the door to the edge of the water. It is a safe place to swim and we are good swimmers.

Are we unreasonable to go for a fifteen minute swim once the kids (preschool) are asleep? They never wake. We would have a friend lined up who would come and babysit if they don't hear from us after half an hour (in case of shark attack or other unforeseen event)!

Basically the only risk is a house fire. We would not have any appliances running and the house would never be more than 30 metres away and in full view. Window open so we'd hear smoke alarm.

I feel like this should be acceptable as it's basically like having a swimming pool in your garden. But for some reason I feel it isn't okay, but I don't know why!

What would you do?

YABU you should be locked up for even thinking of it.
YANBU it's just like a swimming pool, it's fine.

Is this a joke?

Jackanory was on later this evening than scheduled.
Apologies to scrollers 😉

it actually is like a swimming pool really. No sharks, no currents, no boats, etc. Think lagoon!

A lido?

@Maezzle utterly ridiculous post. You know the answer. You never leave children unattended.

My youngest woke up screaming every hour until she was about 6 so I couldn't even really sit in my garden but if they were reliable sleepers and I had another adult with me I definitely would do this!

Obviously you go separately or make an evening of it and book a babysitter. This is parenting I’m afraid. Having to preplan and make safe arrangements plus doing things separately.

So your children never leave your side? Presumably you go to bed with them and don't take any adult time after they're in bed?

YABU

Take it in turns or get someone to watch your very small children

If you were swimming in a pool in the garden, your DCs could come and find you easily. They wouldn't be locked in alone. It's more like leaving them locked in a room while you go to a pool at a resort.

The comparison is daft - I'm sure some people have gardens big enough that I could use this logic for going to the pub on my street (only 500m away) - but I won't.

Can’t you just ask the friend to come anyway for 30 mins? Once a month so you can have your “romantic swim”?

I always think if you need to ask the question, you already know the answer! :-)

What’s as concerning as the post is the 10% of the 2100 who have voted on it that YANBU …

I don’t think you could be any more unreasonable to leave your small children alone to go swimming in the sea … I would also worry about other decisions you make that you think are reasonable .

and I have ADHD and my decision making is fooked lol .

No, it's a "think lagoon".

It’s a sex pond

😂😂

Is your surname McCann

This has reminded me of when DD was very little. We had a tiny back yard at the time and for some reason, our dog didn’t like to pee there at night — so he’d always get a short walk before bed. When DH was away (as he was a lot, back then), the short walk basically consisted of us repeatedly going up and down the street, me with the baby monitor in one hand; I’d go as far as I could without going out of range, and keep my eye on the front door. Even that felt quite risky!

That's what I thought.

@Maezzle how about you just ask said friend to come to the house for the 15 minutes you’re on your swim and they can leave when they see you coming out of the water.

YABU. It really isn’t at all like going for a swim in a pool in your garden.

Uh, have you never heard of Madeline McCann? What is wrong with you

No this is neglectful.

@Maezzle are you another Daily Fail ‘reporter’ phishing for a story?

We have a 2nd home by the sea and we did go and swim while children were asleep. It’s a very secluded place. It’s difficult to say without having all the information though.