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Parenting

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Original poster

Taking 2 under 5s swimming

60 replies

vannah · 28/03/2011 17:48

How do you do this alone? Up until now my husband has always accompanied me when taking our 2 DCs swimming, they are 5 and 3 and neither swim or are especially confident in the water as they rarely go.

How can I ensure their safety if Im alone? ie what in addition to armbands can i buy to ensure they stay well above the water? They both panic when their chins dip into the water and they swallow some.

Do costumes with built in floats work well or just a combination of armbands + rubber ring?

Also panicking about gettting them both dressed afterwards -its a nightmare with just one? Any tips?
thankyou!

OP posts:

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hmmSleep · 28/03/2011 18:57

I also have a 3 and 5 yr old, I only take them swimming to pools where the water is shallow enough in parts for them to stand, and keep them close by at all times. Afterwards they have hooded robes that they stay snuggled in until I'm dressed, then I concentrate on getting them ready one at a time. I now also have a 6 month old. We no longer go swimming!

pinkytheshrinky · 28/03/2011 19:01

Why would you do this? madness lays that way!

You cannot possibly look after two small non swimming children safely on your own - honestly I don't know why you are even asking

ja9 · 28/03/2011 19:04

I've done this a lot - no problem if they are in a pool they (or the biggest of them anyway) and you can stand in. I kept v close / attached to the youngest. Eldest wore armbands. No problem.

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truthisinthewine · 28/03/2011 19:05

I take my (just) 3 year old and my 4 year old swimming on my own. Not a problem at all, not sure why previous posters think it is unsafe? Both mine stay close to me all the time, getting dressed afterwards is not my favourite way to spend time in the world but not a problem either.

plopplopquack · 28/03/2011 19:11

I can see why you are nervous. I have a 2 and 4 and not sure I'd attempt it but often think I'm being silly about it, so glad I'm not the only one. I've found recently that it good to take a spare towel to put on the floor after swimming (in the changing room) to stop them slipping. Don't know why I didn't think of that before!

MCos · 28/03/2011 19:21

I did this alot. My girls are 2 years apart, now 7 and 9. I've had both in the pool since there were a few months old. Put armbands on both. I found the swimsuits with float in them to be useless. Before mine were confident in the water, I used to hold them in my arms. One on either side. And just play silly games with them while in my arms.
Is there a kiddie pool attached to the pool? If they can stand up, and play around, it is great to get them confident in the water. Or if there is wide and shallow steps going into the pool, bring little buckets, other water toys that they could sit on the pool steps and play with. Keep the armbands on them at all times, even if they can stand easily.
Most important - keep it light and fun.

I always found the getting dressed part the least fun. Towelling robes are great. I used to dress the kids first and me last. Some little toys or treats to distract the kids during dressing times worked well for me.
Also, they will probably be STARVING after time in the pool.

Frawli · 28/03/2011 19:22

I've never taken them both on my own so don't have any tips other than to check with the pool that you can take 2 children in on your own, none of the pools we go to would allow it until the older child is about 7 I think.

amidaiwish · 28/03/2011 19:24

get them float jackets (bobins)
towel dresses
snacks for getting dressed time

belgo · 28/03/2011 19:26

I've taken my three when the eldest was five, on my own. The two older ones (3 and 5 ) in arm bands, and the baby in my arms. Obviously I stick to shallow water, and I do feel like a sergeant major getting them all dry and dressed afterwards. I would rather take them all swimming then to the park, where I am terrified one is going to run off. At least in the pool they just bob around with the arm bands on.

I am used to swimming, so are the children, to me it;s no big deal.

It's probably not allowed in British swimming pools though.

Kandinsky · 28/03/2011 19:32

Can you go somewhere with a learner pool. That way they are both able to stand up and can gain some confidence. If you are stressed by taking them they will pick up on that. I am a confident swimmer and frequently took my little ones when considerably younger than yours. The plus side to this was by the time DC3 arrived they could swim and I could take all three.

PorkChopSter · 28/03/2011 19:35

Not allowed in our local pool, 1 adult per child under 4 required. Food & lots of towels for changing. Armbands plus ring if you are worried.

FGM · 28/03/2011 19:44

for getting changed:-

put each DC in a towelling robe (get the ones that open at the front like a dressing gown NOT the over head poncho style- the ponchos are either difficult to get a wet child into if they have sleeves or chilly if they don't)
hand each DC a box of raisins (or equivalent- something nice but not too quick to eat- also good is a packet each of mini gingerbread men)
get yourself dry and dressed
now your DC are happy, warm, dry and not hungry any more so they are much easier to get dressed.

smokinaces · 28/03/2011 20:08

It is possible - I did it when mine were 18m and 3yr.

All in one swim jackets worked best for us. One each.

and FGM has it spot on. Exactly what I do. Towel for each of them (they have the Poncho style) and they sit down with an apple and a drink. I get myself done, and then them.

They're 3 and 4 now and its hard work keeping an eye on them both, but the swim jackets give you an extra couple of seconds to grab them! And they both get on well with the front floats too.

triton · 28/03/2011 20:41

I take my nearly 5 year old and 22 month old. It is hard work and I still seem to end up with tantrums and wet clothes at getting dressed time! Will try the poncho and snack idea though

I have never thought it is unsafe. I go to a pool which is specifically for non swimmers with standing up depth. My 22 month old has armbands and I pretty much keep one hand on her at all times. My nearly five year old isn't that confident but I got him a swim fin and he loves it. I will let him splash about and paddle away from me as long as I have an eye on him and could get to him in seconds.

I do it because they love it and after disasterous swimming lessons it is lovely to see my ds enjoy the pool again. My 22 month old is great and will happily get her face wet and splash around

I treat them to cake afterwards (and myself!) and there is a softplay area. All in all a very active morning and great if it is rubbish weather. My dd sleeps for a good stint in the afternoon, she is so tired. Which frees up time for ds and I to chill together. I usually conk out on the sofa under the pretense that I am watching him play

I make it sound great but actually many a time I have cursed under my breath that I won't be doing it again when we have the getting dressed drama

IWillNotNeverEatATomato · 28/03/2011 20:53

my dad takes my DS's swimming on his own every week,

DS1 (4yrs) has a woggle float thing, he can nearly swim, before this he also had a float suit.
and DS2 (16mths) has arm bands

they are very confident in the water, but do tend to keep very close to my dad,
and the pool is always very quiet so it is not difficult to keep an eye on both of them

after the swim he takes them both into the showers with him. He concentrates on getting DS2 dry and dressed then puts him into the playpen in the changing room with a snack.
DS1 does his best to get himself dressed and then my dad helps him if he has trouble, Dad uses the promise of ice cream after the swim if DS1 behaves himself and gets himself dressed. (its amazing what the promise of ice cream can do)

Original poster

vannah · 28/03/2011 21:14

thankyou all, some great tips here. Esp dressing gown, snacks and will enquire about a shallow end before we book the hotel.

OP posts:

carlakeegan · 09/10/2014 09:58

It's nice to take children swimming as much as possible. I get them in nice swimming costumes and take loads of swimming aids to help them. Follow the tips on sites such as Speedo and Zoggs etc. It's a proper nice experience when they are so young!

neversleepagain · 09/10/2014 14:52

I take my toddler twins swimming on my own and have done since they were 18 months, they are now 24 months.

They can swim unaided but not for very long. They are happy to hold onto the side while I swim with one then swap over (obviously I am watching both of them). I also carry both of them into the deeper water and they swim around me.

The more you do it, the easier it gets.

attheendoftheday · 24/10/2014 13:18

I take my dds pretty regularly, now 3.5 and 20 months. When Dd1 was up to about a year I stuck her in a baby float and held on to Dd1. Over time Dd1 became more confident, now she now has moved on from arm bands to a swim fin (sometimes along with a noodle when she's tired). I find it ok to keep hold of them both - one arm each!

We do the same as other posters when getting changed - hooded towels on both, snacks for the one not getting changed.

LetticeKnollys · 24/10/2014 13:22

You probably are aware anyway, but if not then do check the pool doesn't have a one child per adult rule. The one near us and near a DF's house do and are strict about it!

ElephantsNeverForgive · 24/10/2014 13:30

By that age it wasn't a problem, my 5y could swim.

I think OP you just bite the bullet and take them, it's very likely the older one will learn very quickly. At 5 DD2 would go down any adult flume that she cleared the hight line for. At 7 she was slightly more cautious.

Lots of swimming, before they feel there's anything to worry about, has a lot to recommend it.

AChickenCalledKorma · 24/10/2014 15:48

Honestly? If they are both unconfident in the water, you don't go much, and the idea is making you panic, I just wouldn't. I especially wouldn't in a hotel pool, where you will have no idea whether there is decent lifeguard cover until you are in the water.

I'm sure it's possible, and you've had some great tips. But I think you'll all be so tense that it won't be fun and you may as well do something else. And if possible get them into swimming lessons as soon as you feel they are ready, so that you all feel more confident.

GreenPetal94 · 24/10/2014 16:16

You sort of just do it the first time and if a total disaster you pick up one under each arm and leave the pool.

I actually found it ok as if at least one child sticks with you then you can follow the other one.

PacificDogwood · 24/10/2014 16:33

Of course it can be done - not only that, ALL of you can have some fun

At 5 and 7 they can walk, talk, help get undressed/dressed/dried/can stand under a shower themselves/don't need to be carried/don't need nappy changes etc etc.

Easy-peasy

Yy enquire about shallow end - it's all about allowing them to be confident in the water, not be frightened if they get splashed and learn about what water all around them feels like.

My lot never liked swim-bands/buoyancy jacket-type thingies but did really well with swim noodles.

No experience with this but like the look of it

Just play with them in the water where they can stand.
Have fun.

Large blue Ikea bags are great for all the stuff you need to take kids swimming.

Enjoy!!

AChickenCalledKorma · 24/10/2014 16:49

PacificDogwood - kids are 5 and 3. If they were 5 and 7 I would agree with you!

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