I started when my youngest was 7, but we are at a small private pool where I have a clear view with multiple lifeguards. I wouldn’t do this at a community pool type of place or any place without lifeguards.

Anonymous wrote:Am I the only one that doesn't trust the lifeguards that much?

Nope. The lifeguard is there to be the back up, not to save your child after you abdicate responsibility.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:No. Drowning is silent and takes 60 seconds.

My kids are 7, 5, and 2 but I will do this for life. I was a lifeguard and I know how quickly even good swimmers can get in trouble and how lazy some lifeguards are.

For life? I think it’s hard for you to imagine having teenagers someday. My 11 and 14 year olds are on swim team and regularly spend time at the pool without me even being present.

I don’t think it’s too much to require they buddy up. No swimming by themselves, especially in a crowded pool. At least the buddy can yell if something happens.

Anonymous wrote:Am I the only one that doesn't trust the lifeguards that much?

I don't trust them at all. They may as well not be there, for all I care.

Anonymous wrote:What about ages 6 and 4, but good swimmers?

Hellllllll no!

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:What about ages 6 and 4, but good swimmers?

Are you the OP? No absolutely not. Others, please pile on - this is concerning that someone would even think this is ok.

See the reason I posted above. My friend did this and shared it to IG. I’m very anxious around water and so I posted here thinking maybe I’m FAR too anxious and I need to be more relaxed (which I do, for sure).

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:What about ages 6 and 4, but good swimmers?

Is...is...this a joke? Another former lifeguard, my kids will be well into double digits before I ever take my eyes off of them in any body of water. Get a sitter or an audio book! This isn’t hard.

I am the OP. This is why I posted:

My friend posted on her IG stories a video of the pages of a book, and then scanned the video up to show her boys swimming. They were far away, maybe 20 yards? They are 6 and 4. I couldn’t help but comment, and she said that “they’re good at that depth.” So not only were they alone, but she reading AND far away.

I was shocked but honestly I have a LOT of anxiety, so I thought maybe “huh. This is how chill moms are, and I’m the one with the screwy brain”.

No, I don't read.

I came close to drowning as a kid, so we are extraordinarily careful around water. Lifeguard didn't see me, but my dad -- who was on the deck chatting w/neighbors -- noticed me at the bottom of pool and dove in. I have flashbacks of him diving down at me.

My husband was trained as a lifeguard; we stay equally alert.

No, but I usually took them only to classes and spouse took them and went into the pool. Kids under 10-12 should not be free roaming at a pool and need supervision. Stop being a lazy parent.

Anonymous wrote:Yes, 9 and 12. I look up regularly.

Same here, with similar ages kids who are competitive swimmers.

My oldest is 11. It has been 11 years since I've read on the beach or by the pool. They're pretty good swimmers, but I have one that is impulsive. I just can't relax enough to read. But no judgment on you parents that do read! In fact, I'm envious.

My kids are 7 and 10. Both on swim team. I do read occasionally (Not real long) or get on my phone but I glance up every so often. And I usually end up getting in with them. But no, I don’t have eye on them 100%. Last year I did because my 6 year old was not as strong. This is a regular pool. If this were an ocean, I would not be relaxing at all. We have a designated person to watch kids in the ocean. We also have a rule that kids may not go swimming in the ocean without an adult nearby, and they may not go where they cannot stand.we adults also do not go out where we can’t stand.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Yes, 9 and 12. I look up regularly.

Ditto. But if it's a busy say I'll watch closer.

+1. I do NOT read in natural water and watch like a hawk. The stats on that are much worse.

I read, but I'm also right there by the pool. It's our own pool DD is 7 and a good swimmer. If it was a public pool or the beach I wouldn't. Also, DD is loud in the water either talking, splashing, demoing stuff. If she's ever quite for more than 5 seconds I look up. Otherwise she's a constant soundtrack to my book.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:No. Drowning is silent and takes 60 seconds.

My kids are 7, 5, and 2 but I will do this for life. I was a lifeguard and I know how quickly even good swimmers can get in trouble and how lazy some lifeguards are.

For life? I think it’s hard for you to imagine having teenagers someday. My 11 and 14 year olds are on swim team and regularly spend time at the pool without me even being present.

All right guys. They will never swim alone or unsupervised. Even as adults. But yes when the youngest is 30 I will let his 35 year old brother watch him without reading.

But no. I will not read while they are in the pool. Even as adults. I could not read poolside before I had kids because I feel responsible.