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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Another swimming pool judgey thread... was I, all the parents and the lifeguards right to pull on our judgy pants?

67 replies

Flibbertyjibbet · 22/04/2009 15:21

Last Friday dcs and I went to our usual mum and pre-schoolers swim session at some nice little baths in a small village.

I've been taking my two since ds2 was 12m old to that particular pool cos its sooo hard work - little cubicles round the edge of the pool, trying to get me, two wriggly dcs dry and dressed after in such a confined space.

The toddler session takes place right after a public session, usually full of working people having a lunchtime swim. Last Fri there were the usual 'workers' plus cos of the school hols - a mum with 3 kids the youngest of whom looked about 8 and the other two say 10 and 12.

As we got into the water I noticed the lifeguards gawping open mouthed towards the doors. I looked. I gawped. So did everyone else.

I judged

The mother and 3 kids were leaving the swimming pool dressed in swim suits, towells wrapped round them like they'd just got out of the bath at home, and one child had bare feet.

They were carrying their dry clothes in their swimming bags.

It would never occur to me to do that either to get to the car or get home if they live in the village.

The lifeguards were stunned!

Please tell me I was right to judge (but I'll be interested to hear any pacifists who can think of reasons why I should not have judged )

OP posts:
VinegarTitsThePorker · 22/04/2009 15:25

I would have thought it was funny

No law to say you have to get dressed first before going home from the swimming pool

Maybe they where off to the local canal for a leisurely dip

MarlaSinger · 22/04/2009 15:26

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SusieDerkins · 22/04/2009 15:26

I'm confused. What "judgment" did you come to?

Bad parenting?

Odd people?

iheartdusty · 22/04/2009 15:26

err..what did you judge them to be guilty of?

seems a trifle unusual, but not neglectful or wrong on a warmish day.

BouncingTurtle · 22/04/2009 15:27

Maybe they lived just around the corner? Perhaps they'd rather put up with going home wet and wrapped in a towel than squeezing into tiny cubicles?

Thunderduck · 22/04/2009 15:27

I'd find it very odd and amusing but that's it.

Original poster
Flibbertyjibbet · 22/04/2009 15:27

Oh yes we were all chuckling about it! Def funny.

OP posts:
VinegarTitsThePorker · 22/04/2009 15:27

Maybe they had recieved bad news and wanted to get home quick

maximama · 22/04/2009 15:28

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

OrmIrian · 22/04/2009 15:29

?

This is bizarre.

I am struggling to know what I am supposed to be judging...

Original poster
Flibbertyjibbet · 22/04/2009 15:29

Well sort of judging that you would go walking the streets in swim suit, towell, wet hair and bare feet!

It wasn't warm here last Friday, sunny yes but blardy cold wind. Def not swimsuit in street weather yet in East Lancs.

OP posts:
MarlaSinger · 22/04/2009 15:30

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Message withdrawn at poster's request.

oldraver · 22/04/2009 15:30

I used to do this when we had an outdoor pool at the bottom of our street, so did many others. The pool was lovely with a garden round it so you could sunbathe so it didnt seem the same as normal 'swimming baths'

Maybe they were very local

claireybee · 22/04/2009 15:30

I used to have swimming lessons after school when I was 9/10, I used to do just that, wrap my towel around me and get in the car. We'd stop off at the chippy on the way home and I'd eat my tea, get straight into the bath then put my pj's on

Not sure I'd do it now though!

Original poster
Flibbertyjibbet · 22/04/2009 15:31

OK you're all pacifists

IBU

OP posts:
Original poster
Flibbertyjibbet · 22/04/2009 15:31

(but the children were well old enough to dress themselves).

OP posts:
iheartdusty · 22/04/2009 15:32

I can imagine a scenario where this would happen;

DD - I've forgotten my pants, I don't want a shower, I hate this T shirt, i want a drink, etc etc.

DS - I don't want to get dressed. I won't get dressed. Etc Etc etc.

me Other mum - OK we are leaving, I have had it up to here, if you keep moaning and say you won't get dressed you can see how it feels.

IheartNY · 22/04/2009 15:35

What a fantastic idea. Might nick that one

OrmIrian · 22/04/2009 15:35

Was there a car outside? I could very well imagine doing this if it was just quick step to the car.

I am surprised that everyone was amazed though. Were all the staff and parents extremely bored then?

BalloonSlayer · 22/04/2009 15:36

Wish I had the body nerve to do that.

Sounds a great idea.

May even try it.

I hate taking the DCs swimming. One always drops their pants in a puddle of verrucas and moans all the way home "Urrr, I've got wet pants..."

How nice to get dry when you're back home.

MarlaSinger · 22/04/2009 15:36

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

MarlaSinger · 22/04/2009 15:37

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

southeastastra · 22/04/2009 15:37

maybe they go to our pool where the changing rooms smell like wee

Surfermum · 22/04/2009 15:38

I used to stick a towelling dress onto dd after swimming lessons and take her home. It was easier than drying her, dressing her, taking her home and having to do it all again after her bath.

Perhaps because I live by the sea it doesn't seem that odd to me. I'm used to seeing wet people in the street .

OrmIrian · 22/04/2009 15:39

Aha... you are right marla. Perhaps it was more interesting than watching the cows and pointing at aeroplanes