Swimming lessons in crowded hall - Advice and tips, please

[sparrowfart23]

My DD has started swimming lessons at the local school, and the first session came as a bit of a shock. The changing rooms are quite small and there are not enough hooks, benches or floor space for the number of students and parents. I am not good in small, crowded spaces! Does anyone have any top tips for coping and getting DC dried and dressed after swimming? I am otherwise happy with the swimming school so don't want to take her out of lessons (esp as we have already paid her term's fees).
TIA!

How old is your DD? My suggestions might be too childish! A poncho towel is good as it keeps her warm whilst you find a space, sort clothes etc. If she is too old for that you can get special hair turban towels, can't remember what they're called but they are for sale in cheap shops, Poundland etc. then her hair won't be dripping all over her as she deals with getting dried/dressed. Plus they dry the hair quickly.

Keep clothes simple. Pants, leggings, t shirt. Trainers with no socks. Just aim to be decent enough to leave in public .

Do all showers/hair brushing at home.

hair turban

Costume on beforehand with just trackies and hoody over.

Then same with undies after. Do the shower etc at home.

Really depends on her age?

Thanks for your tips. DD is nearly 5. I have a towcho and head towel/turban thing, and I did threaten to stick her in the car wrapped in her towel after the last lesson . If I thought I wouldn't be judged, I would go for that - judging by your posts I might be able to live it down. This may not be feasible as there isn't always parking close to the venue (got the last space last week).

Will definitely put DD's costume on beforehand next time. Also will remember it is bloody hot in there - I had a (cotton) jumper on last week which didn't help when I got a bit flustered.

Costume on before you get there, poncho towel afterwards. Take as few clothes as you can get away with to dress in afterwards. I just put a dress on over dd's head, knickers and sandals on, (may need trainers and coat as well if its cold) and out the door. Woolly hat saves the need to try and dry hair off in cold weather.

Thanks everyone. This week I put DD in swimsuit under tracksuit and boots (no socks). Getting in and changed was much better. Afterwards, I dried her under her towel, and put on knickers and tracksuit top on poolside (as the changing room was heaving), then bottoms and boots in the changing room which was less busy by that time. Much less stressed than last week, though it seemed there were fewer people in the hall this time.

Great . Glad it went well for you both. Fingers crossed next week goes as smoothly.

Onesies are ace for this, cosy and simple... Cosy underneath to go. Pants for home.... Turbon or .....swim cap! N crocs xxx

I agree - leave swim cap on until you get home and just put a onesie on!

My local pool used to be like this. Agree with posters above. Get a toweling robe from Boden (posh) or La redoute (online, cheaper). Top half of costume off and pulled down to waist, bung on robe, take off rest of costume, quick towel dry of legs, pop on pants. Crocs on feet. Turban on hair. If cold, dressing gown on top of that. Off to car and home.

I did this for years whilst coordinating a nightmare of ballet, swimming and football for different DCs on the same night.

Nobody judged...we were all doing it! Some mums did straight from swim, to shower, into pjs and dressing gown and crocs to save time later. Brilliant!

Have nice snack waiting in car for bribing child to be super quick!