Opting out of swimming unit in PE

[Anonymous]

I would not let my kid sit out for the reasons you are giving OP. Haven't read the other responses.

I can see why the PE teacher would be annoyed. News flash, no one probably loves swimming in the cold water and other children have hair that gets wait to deal with. Life is hard sometimes when we have to fulfill our obligations. It's pat of the curriculum, so unless there is a real medical or social/emotional issue, I would make her do it.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:You are beyond ridiculous.

- her hair will be wet
- the pool is cold
- she doesn’t want to change in a bathing suit for boys to see
- swim time is only 20 min after you take away the changing clothes portion of it
- I consider it a “comfort and health issue”
- “it is a little sexist that the time allowed for children to dry off and change (10 minutes) is adequate for people with very short hair (typically boys) but not people with longer hair (which includes some girls)”
- she has a tough teacher this year
- she already can swim better than most others
- I’m okay with a lowered grade

She’s no more or less special than every other kid in her current class or those who did the class before her. You asked the teacher and the teacher was clearly not okay with it. It’s 12 sessions, at least some of which are over. She can handle this for less than a dozen more times. We’ve no doubt you’ll let her sit this out as well as many other things.

My long haired competitive swimmer swims year round. Caps done keep her hair dry. She walked out of the pool in less than ten degree weather. She lives, believe it or not.

All your points are right until the last one- she is more special than every other kid in her current class TO ME. And I am going to back her up if she is being pushed to do something she feels is unhealthy for her if I know it provides no benefit. She also feels doing math and practicing violin is not the best thing for her to be doing- I make her do those things because I know they have a benefit.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

All your points are right until the last one- she is more special than every other kid in her current class TO ME. And I am going to back her up if she is being pushed to do something she feels is unhealthy for her if I know it provides no benefit. She also feels doing math and practicing violin is not the best thing for her to be doing- I make her do those things because I know they have a benefit.

Unhealthy?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

All your points are right until the last one- she is more special than every other kid in her current class TO ME. And I am going to back her up if she is being pushed to do something she feels is unhealthy for her if I know it provides no benefit. She also feels doing math and practicing violin is not the best thing for her to be doing- I make her do those things because I know they have a benefit.

Unhealthy?

Same thought bubble. It's not unhealthy to walk around with wet hair and please don't say it is and it will make her sick. I can't.

[Anonymous]

my 10 year old swims so i MAY just know what i'm talking about here.

we're black so hair is a big deal and obviously the pool does us no favors. she wears a swim cap faithfully while also getting her hair braided during the swim season, it really cuts down on time doing hair and fussing. i also use the shampoos and conditioners that help keep pool water soaked hair manageable.

i'm also assuming your kid goes to a private school since they swim during PE. i work at one and you are one of the parents teachers find super annoying.. you don't want her to participate because of her hair? do you know how many people would love for their child to have this opportunity? ugh.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:She’s no more or less special than every other kid in her current class or those who did the class before her. You asked the teacher and the teacher was clearly not okay with it. It’s 12 sessions, at least some of which are over. She can handle this for less than a dozen more times. We’ve no doubt you’ll let her sit this out as well as many other things.

My long haired competitive swimmer swims year round. Caps done keep her hair dry. She walked out of the pool in less than ten degree weather. She lives, believe it or not.

All your points are right until the last one- she is more special than every other kid in her current class TO ME. And I am going to back her up if she is being pushed to do something she feels is unhealthy for her if I know it provides no benefit. She also feels doing math and practicing violin is not the best thing for her to be doing- I make her do those things because I know they have a benefit.

NP to this thread, and I'm not sure why you even posted if you'd already made your decision? Nothing you have offered up is unhealthy, that's simply an excuse. Worst case it's mildly uncomfortable, but no more so for her than for any other child.

[Anonymous]

PE is a waste of time beyond ES. And swimming is absurd on many levels.

There is no way she is learning to swim during a single module of 20 min. a couple times/week, with 20 kids in a class.

I think it's fine to opt out. And I say this as mom of a kid who doesn't mine PE and is on the sporty side.

[Anonymous]

The issue isn't the swimming OP.

The issue is you're treating her like a special snowflake and other kids and parents and the teachers will notice and think you and your kid are an asshole. To keep it real.

Imagine the whole school day. There are probably dozen activities or subjects someone can name that is a waste of time and not fun for their particular kid. But the social compact is they are all going with the program.

If you came on here with a tale of a medical issue (you haven't) or she's the only one in her class with giant boobs and all the boys made fun of her for weeks after and she's seriously traumatized (you haven't), then possibly it's a different conversation.

I don't feel like it, which is pretty much what your reasons boil down to, doesn't cut it.

[Anonymous]

I think you’re making the right decision OP. If it makes her that uncomfortable and affects her for the rest of the day, it’s not worth dealing with the hassle. I don’t get why people think children should trudge through every uncomfortable thing they dislike doing because that’s how it’s always been done and they prefer not to make waves when there are easier options available. Sometimes they have to suck it up and do it, and maybe it builds character, but sometimes we don’t need to unnecessarily inconvenience ourselves and there are lessons to be learned in that too.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:The issue isn't the swimming OP.

The issue is you're treating her like a special snowflake and other kids and parents and the teachers will notice and think you and your kid are an asshole. To keep it real.

Imagine the whole school day. There are probably dozen activities or subjects someone can name that is a waste of time and not fun for their particular kid. But the social compact is they are all going with the program.

If you came on here with a tale of a medical issue (you haven't) or she's the only one in her class with giant boobs and all the boys made fun of her for weeks after and she's seriously traumatized (you haven't), then possibly it's a different conversation.

I don't feel like it, which is pretty much what your reasons boil down to, doesn't cut it.

I am the poster who skipped PE and I assure you that no other parent cared. Fact is, I'd be shocked if they knew. No teacher cared.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The issue isn't the swimming OP.

The issue is you're treating her like a special snowflake and other kids and parents and the teachers will notice and think you and your kid are an asshole. To keep it real.

Imagine the whole school day. There are probably dozen activities or subjects someone can name that is a waste of time and not fun for their particular kid. But the social compact is they are all going with the program.

If you came on here with a tale of a medical issue (you haven't) or she's the only one in her class with giant boobs and all the boys made fun of her for weeks after and she's seriously traumatized (you haven't), then possibly it's a different conversation.

I don't feel like it, which is pretty much what your reasons boil down to, doesn't cut it.

I am the poster who skipped PE and I assure you that no other parent cared. Fact is, I'd be shocked if they knew. No teacher cared.

The PE teachers clearly care. As the OP said, they are not thrilled with the kid skipping. It's kind of disrespectful to their whole purpose for existing, right?

And with all due respect, how do you know what the teachers or other parents thought? Most people don't tell you to your face they think you are an entitled ass.

The problem is OP's kid skips and then suddenly the kids all know that is an option. What do some portion of them do? Race home and tell mom and dad and ask if they have to swim. Yeah, you can bet someone out there is finding that annoying.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The issue isn't the swimming OP.

The issue is you're treating her like a special snowflake and other kids and parents and the teachers will notice and think you and your kid are an asshole. To keep it real.

Imagine the whole school day. There are probably dozen activities or subjects someone can name that is a waste of time and not fun for their particular kid. But the social compact is they are all going with the program.

If you came on here with a tale of a medical issue (you haven't) or she's the only one in her class with giant boobs and all the boys made fun of her for weeks after and she's seriously traumatized (you haven't), then possibly it's a different conversation.

I don't feel like it, which is pretty much what your reasons boil down to, doesn't cut it.

I am the poster who skipped PE and I assure you that no other parent cared. Fact is, I'd be shocked if they knew. No teacher cared.

The PE teachers clearly care. As the OP said, they are not thrilled with the kid skipping. It's kind of disrespectful to their whole purpose for existing, right?

And with all due respect, how do you know what the teachers or other parents thought? Most people don't tell you to your face they think you are an entitled ass.

I guess caring about their opinions wasn't a part of my daily routine. If it didn't make itself known, it's not there for all practical purposes. My parents certainly had no idea about what other kids did!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The issue isn't the swimming OP.

The issue is you're treating her like a special snowflake and other kids and parents and the teachers will notice and think you and your kid are an asshole. To keep it real.

Imagine the whole school day. There are probably dozen activities or subjects someone can name that is a waste of time and not fun for their particular kid. But the social compact is they are all going with the program.

If you came on here with a tale of a medical issue (you haven't) or she's the only one in her class with giant boobs and all the boys made fun of her for weeks after and she's seriously traumatized (you haven't), then possibly it's a different conversation.

I don't feel like it, which is pretty much what your reasons boil down to, doesn't cut it.

I am the poster who skipped PE and I assure you that no other parent cared. Fact is, I'd be shocked if they knew. No teacher cared.

The PE teachers clearly care. As the OP said, they are not thrilled with the kid skipping. It's kind of disrespectful to their whole purpose for existing, right?

And with all due respect, how do you know what the teachers or other parents thought? Most people don't tell you to your face they think you are an entitled ass.

The problem is OP's kid skips and then suddenly the kids all know that is an option. What do some portion of them do? Race home and tell mom and dad and ask if they have to swim. Yeah, you can bet someone out there is finding that annoying.

Really? Lol. You think your kids’ teachers only exist on this planet to instruct your child and you’re going to suggest someone else has entitlement issues?

[Anonymous]

My 9 year old swim team. If the parents don't help with the cap, the coaches do. Silicone is best and they make caps specifically for long hair. You could also try a wetsuit if she is cold in the water. My son has longer hair and refuses to tie it up. Its a bit more effort to get it in the cap but we make it work.

[Anonymous]

As a teenager I had really bad back and chest acne. None on my face. I would die before you made me go into the pool. Thankful lily my parents were understanding.