Anonymous wrote:I hate pool parties. Kids horse around (not great in a water situation with different levels of swimmers), parents are distracted socializing, and the lifeguards may or may not be trustworthy. Watching kids in a pool feels more like a job. If it's a party with small kids, they want to get in right away, then jump out and go running around, and jump in again. Am I supposed to chase my kid around to stay within an arm's reach?
No. You’re supposed to teach them proper pool etiquette - no running, buddy system, no swimming without parents present - and discipline them when they violate the pool safety rules. No need to keep them always “within arms’ reach” when they follow the rules.