Would you rent a vacation house with a pool (no fence) if your 4 year old could not swim?

[Anonymous]

No way! We go to the outer banks each year and I always go out of my way to rent a house with an elevator (for grandma) that does NOT have a pool.

[Anonymous]

I think if the OP has to ask this question, then it's apparent there are some nagging doubts. Always listen to those nagging doubts, OP.

[Anonymous]

No way.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:No, no, no, no, no, no. Here's why: I know a family whose 2 year old died in the family's swimming pool. The mom thought the father was watching the kid, the father thought the mom was watching the kid, who fell in the pool and drowned.

A pool is very attractive to a 4 y.o., and parents are not 100 percent attentive, even the best of us (see above). You don't want to go through what these parents went through (and are still going through). Don't do it. Find another pool-less rental.

I know a family that suffered the loss of a four year old in a similar way. No way.

[Anonymous]

I think it's settled, don't do it.

[Anonymous]

If so many people are unwilling to have a swimming pool, what do you do about the ocean?

I am going to be at a resort this weekend with a pool and ocean and I'm just planning on watching DS like a hawk.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:If so many people are unwilling to have a swimming pool, what do you do about the ocean?

I am going to be at a resort this weekend with a pool and ocean and I'm just planning on watching DS like a hawk.

I put my kids in a life jacket at the ocean.

[Anonymous]

No.

The reason is one that has been already stated well (the situation where every adult assumes that the other adult is watching DC adequately, yet no one actually is).

I see this happen over and over again and it mystifies me.

[Anonymous]

"If so many people are unwilling to have a swimming pool, what do you do about the ocean?

I am going to be at a resort this weekend with a pool and ocean and I'm just planning on watching DS like a hawk. "


It's very different to rent a vacation house with a pool that is not fenced in and going to a resort where your child will not have access to the pool or ocean unless you take your child(ren) there. In OP's situation, she is looking at 24/7 hypervigalence whereas at a resort, you get a break when you are away from the water.

I often take my kids places where there is a pool and to the ocean. My rule of thumb is that I never ever assume someone else is watching my kids. And, even if someone offers to watch my kids, I decline. My friends think I'm over the top because when I take my kids to someone's home that has a pool, I will make my kids come to the bathroom with me rather than asking someone else to watch them. No one watches them like I do and it only takes a second for something to happen.

[Anonymous]

OP here. We will skip that villa. I can't imagine the horror if something were to happen.
We will use another vlla that has a communal pool that is across the road. DC would have to really go out of his way to get to that pool. We will still be vigilant anyway.

Thanks for the replies.

[Anonymous]

Nope.

[Anonymous]

Not a chance.

[Anonymous]

im just shocked at the responses.. did it and it was NEVER EVER NEVER EVER even CLOSE to an issue with the 7, 4, and 2 year old...

[Anonymous]

That's great OP.

PP -- I don't understand why a pool doesn't even have a fence? Every pool I have every seen (inground I man) was required to have a locked fence around it. What areas don't require a locked gate?

[Anonymous]

I would do it. And have done it. And will do it again this summer. We are just careful, that's all. And our kids will learn. I guess you all are the types who have their entire house baby-proofed to excess, right?
Everyone who will be at our vacation home has kids and we are all very very aware of drowning risks. It becomes second nature to us, just like crossing the street, holding hands on stairs, moving hot coffee cups from the edge of a table.

Your kids are never going to learn (or have fun!!) if you over-protect them!!