DS on the fence due to dive team shower situations

[Anonymous]

DS (8) wants to join the dive team at our pool. However, he's on the fence because the teams here do communal showers. Now the woman's shower room has curtains and privacy, but DS and DH have both confirmed that this is not the case for guys. We've never showered at the pool before, but on the team, a friend of DS's who's done it has said that everyone on the team does it before practice. I'm not sure if it's a team rule per se, but I believe that it may be; in any event, DS would be the odd one out should he opt out. He is very private and seems very anxious about this possibility. I've explained that it's not inappropriate because of the situation, but he still feels that it would be "embarrassing". I don't want him to miss something that could be fun because of this. What should I do?

(Also, please be mindful about what you share, because there unfortunately are some real weirdos out there)

[Anonymous]

I wonder, if everyone showers before practice, do they possibly have their bathing suits on and are doing the cursory before going in the pool shower?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I wonder, if everyone showers before practice, do they possibly have their bathing suits on and are doing the cursory before going in the pool shower?

OP here, I assumed this because that's what me and my friends did at summer camp back when I was a kid, but according to DS's friend that's not the case

[Anonymous]

It would be very odd to shower naked before swim or dive and then attempt to put on a suit while wet. I think you are safe to presume that showering is done with the suit on. The boys are at pool like to stand in shower to warm up post practice, but this is always done with suits on.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:DS (8) wants to join the dive team at our pool. However, he's on the fence because the teams here do communal showers. Now the woman's shower room has curtains and privacy, but DS and DH have both confirmed that this is not the case for guys. We've never showered at the pool before, but on the team, a friend of DS's who's done it has said that everyone on the team does it before practice. I'm not sure if it's a team rule per se, but I believe that it may be; in any event, DS would be the odd one out should he opt out. He is very private and seems very anxious about this possibility. I've explained that it's not inappropriate because of the situation, but he still feels that it would be "embarrassing". I don't want him to miss something that could be fun because of this. What should I do?

(Also, please be mindful about what you share, because there unfortunately are some real weirdos out there)

OP again, sorry I made a typo! It's supposed to say that they shower AFTER practice, not before. Sorry for the confusion. lol

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:DS (8) wants to join the dive team at our pool. However, he's on the fence because the teams here do communal showers. Now the woman's shower room has curtains and privacy, but DS and DH have both confirmed that this is not the case for guys. We've never showered at the pool before, but on the team, a friend of DS's who's done it has said that everyone on the team does it before practice. I'm not sure if it's a team rule per se, but I believe that it may be; in any event, DS would be the odd one out should he opt out. He is very private and seems very anxious about this possibility. I've explained that it's not inappropriate because of the situation, but he still feels that it would be "embarrassing". I don't want him to miss something that could be fun because of this. What should I do?

(Also, please be mindful about what you share, because there unfortunately are some real weirdos out there)

OP again, sorry I made a typo! It's supposed to say that they shower AFTER practice, not before. Sorry for the confusion. lol

It’s very unusual for kids to shower after practice. Most have to get out of there quickly for camps, other activities. Hardly anyone at our pool showers after.

[Anonymous]

Especially for boy-etyle suits, showering in said suit is nbd. The issue for DC might be being around other kids who strip off. Legit. So just invent a "gotta go" commitment right after practice and skip the showers until DC can parse it better and decide what they're comfortable with.

[Anonymous]

This is weird. I can’t think of a single kid who showers at the pool after winter or summer dive practice.

[Anonymous]

He showers at home. Get him a robe or parka if he’s cold.

[Anonymous]

Umm kids shower before in suits and at home naked. Weird otherwise.

[Anonymous]

Maybe a few kids shower after but I would bet most shower at home. Is there any chance his friend is trying to pull one over on him? There are communal showers at our old pool and the kids used to use them after practice just to warm up/rinse the chlorine off but no one got undressed.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:DS (8) wants to join the dive team at our pool. However, he's on the fence because the teams here do communal showers. Now the woman's shower room has curtains and privacy, but DS and DH have both confirmed that this is not the case for guys. We've never showered at the pool before, but on the team, a friend of DS's who's done it has said that everyone on the team does it before practice. I'm not sure if it's a team rule per se, but I believe that it may be; in any event, DS would be the odd one out should he opt out. He is very private and seems very anxious about this possibility. I've explained that it's not inappropriate because of the situation, but he still feels that it would be "embarrassing". I don't want him to miss something that could be fun because of this. What should I do?

(Also, please be mindful about what you share, because there unfortunately are some real weirdos out there)

OP again, sorry I made a typo! It's supposed to say that they shower AFTER practice, not before. Sorry for the confusion. lol

It’s very unusual for kids to shower after practice. Most have to get out of there quickly for camps, other activities. Hardly anyone at our pool showers after.

Why do you share this schlock?

1. Most kids don’t go to camp every week. Many do, but not most, and not every week.

2. If you were sending your kid to camp immediately from the pool, wouldn’t you encourage taking a very brief shower to rinse the chlorine off?

When you wear blinders, you shouldn’t paint with such a bold brush.

[Anonymous]

Op is talking team, not camp. Mine have very rarely showered except if we have somewhere specific. They shower at home.

[Anonymous]

Just tell him to leave his swim briefs on for the after practice shower so they can get "washed" too.

[Anonymous]

Talk to the dive team reps, especially if they have an older boy. I’m sure they can help your son navigate this.