Family swimming times - AIBU?

[FamilySwimming]

Just looking for a sense check on this one.

The two local leisure centres only have certain very limited times for family swimming, meaning in the kids' pool. So if I want to take my 2 year old swimming, the only times we can book are between 12 and 2pm.

My 2 year old eats lunch at 12 and then has a nap every day. Surely this is pretty standard for any child who has one nap per day?

AIBU or is this an absolutely insane time to schedule family swimming? I feel like I just won't be able to take her swimming until she's stopped napping completely.

I spoke to them on the phone and they basically said that my toddler's meal and nap schedule isn't their problem, but I was under the impression that this is most toddlers' meal and nap schedule, hence the AIBU.

I'd say it's quite unusual. All the public pools near me have toddler time etc. at the time you'd expect (somewhere between 9 and 12).

I have a 2 year old. I’d give lunch slightly earlier at 11:30, go swimming for 30-45 minutes then let him nap when we get home. My 2 year old would be fine with this, he generally naps after lunch but i don’t plan our day around it, if we’re busy or out then he goes later or will have a quick car nap between activities.

the ageism can get to absolute fuck
there was no need for it.

If OP is going to be so inflexible, she has to look around and find a pool that suits (as she has)

the pool know what their business is and they will offer what sessions they like.
Old people exist, and if you'Re lucky you will be old too, one day. Hope the young mums aren't such twats to you

We really struggle during term time. School hours obviously they’re at school, after school is ALL clubs until about 8pm when it’s too late. So it’s weekends only but only couple of slots. Shame as you’d think they’d want to encourage more fitness for kids.

@GertrudePerkinsPaperyThing

This:

Haha, they'll be the same ones at the GP at 8am and in the bank at 12:30.

… was the ageist statement. It wasn’t just about the swimming.

Drop the nap or adjust her routine if you’re that desperate to take her

It's "family swim" - and families whose kids can swim at that time can swim then?

I get the frustration - my son is 21m, and 12 would be a tough time for me too. But I've been swimming during family swim times, and it's mostly older kids for this reason.

If they did a day a week, that also wouldn't be fair on people who couldn't do that day.

They are other pools, but they can't move those closer because it doesn't suit either.

“Jet lagged” 😂

My nearly 2 year old doesnt nap unless he's at nursery where he goes with the peer pressure and lies down.

I have never had nap schedules for my kids, many kids aren't wired that way. 12-2 seems ideal to me if it's at the weekend, as you say your kid is in nursery 5 days a week. Avoids the mornings when the swim clubs are often practicing.

I would have thought that time was fine for a lot of 2yo. Neither of mine napped past their second birthday so it would have suited me

You may find this time is ok in a few months when they eventually drop their nap!

It's quite odd that you assume this is my first baby. I know perfectly well this stage doesn't last forever because I also have a four year old. I just think it's a bit of a shame that I have to wait until my toddler is no longer a toddler before we can go to the only swimming sessions for toddlers at the local pool.

I rang them to check whether it was actually the case that toddlers can only swim at lunchtime because I thought I must have misunderstood the website but unfortunately it turned out to be true.

We aren't actually particularly inflexible and we will let the routine go to pot for a big day out or something, but we do pay the price later, and for a one hour swimming slot at the local council leisure centre it's just not worth it.

I stand by that statement. I have never understood why people who don't work insist on going to these kinds of places at what are peak times for people who do work.

Why shouldn’t they, though? Perhaps they have a nap time that means that’s the only time they can go?

Agree with this. Also, maybe you can be a bit flexible for a special event, but you shouldn't have to change what is a very very standard routine just to go swimming!

Also I'd have thought it might be more popular as a lunchtime swim slot for adults than for little kids.

You do know that swimming isn’t compulsory for 2 year olds?

I get that you want to do an activity when she’s not in nursery but there are other things if that is not convenient for you.

Expecting the pool to be aware of your nap times is bonkers. Many toddlers no longer even have a nap.

My pool also has exercise classes mid-morning so that might also be the reason.

If you're retired you've got all day to do whatever the hell you like so why on earth would you go to the bank/post office/try on clothes during the lunchtime rush? Madness.

school swimmers will have the morning slots.

Have you tried a local hotel with a pool, or fitness centre?

This is specifically for the kids' pool, so I assume they have adult swimming in the main pool at the same time.

i totally get it @FamilySwimming

my dc were all stuck to exact meal times and nap times- some dc are and that is normal amd understandable if they didn’t eat at a certain time they’d get shaky and upset if they didn’t get put down for their nap on time they’d scream then fall asleep anyway.

I think unfortunately these places make more money from lessons now so family swim times are non existent or at awkward times.

Genuine question. This is the kids' pool that is very small and only about a metre deep. Do school age kids really learn to swim at that depth?

Absolutely. The world doesn't revolve around you @FamilySwimming .

You have no idea what anyone’s day/schedule is like. Perhaps those times just work best for them?

You are no more entitled to a specific time than anyone who is retired, is.

Yes this was exactly my two's schedules as well! It was very hard to deviate from at the time. Sometimes we'd push through it but then they'd fall asleep in the car at 4pm or whenever and then refuse to sleep at night.

Mornings were always the time for toddler outings (or occasionally late afternoon)

Yes.

Let me guess, are you a retired person who likes to go to the GP at 8am and the bank at lunchtime because those times work for you? 🙃