Another unattended child at the pool vent..

[N.Bailey]

yecats, Thank God you made it home safely. I have to say, if you were my child, you would be pretty much be confined to the house for say, the rest of your life! LOL I don't envy your mom having to deal with all of that! I'm glad you're here to relay the story though!

 

[UncleKyle]

As someone who has managed a pool for 3 years and lifeguarded for 5, I have a lot of experience with this. Luckily I grew up at my country club pool and knew everyone when I managed it, so I had a lot of leverage from the board on how to handle situations like that. Over the course of those 3 years I informed a number of parents that us lifeguards were not a babysitting service and that they must be with a parent or babysitter. The stories I could tell and the most irresponsible parents I've met....still makes my blood boil to this day.

 

[Epcotgal8]

Originally posted by N.Bailey


This one family we have here has left their child do anything she wanted from the age of 4 or so. This child would at 4 years of age (she's 12 now), come to my house on a Saturday morning at 9 am and she'd go home at 9 PM. Her parents would not call one time through out that time to check on her, or call or home for dinner or anything. Heck, one Christmas they didn't even call her home for dinner. I feel like she's MY child, cept I don't have to buy her school clothes! LOL

I've been there, done that. We had a little girl who came to stay for the summer with real dad who lived with his parents down the street from us. It was more like she came to stay with us for the summer. She arrived every day at 8 or 9 a.m. and would be here until after supper and until 8 p.m. with NOBODY ever even calling to check on her. One night it was late and after dark and we walked her back to grandma's house and nobody was there. We called numbers we had and grandma came home soon afterward apologizing because her son (the child's father) FORGOT about the child and had left the house not remembering where she was. Of course she was safe with us but PLEASE! As for the pool thing, I was sooo nervous one time at All Star Sports. There was a TODDLER with floaties on and she was running around the outside of the pool while dad threw the ball with older son. He never even stopped to look at her and it was killing me since it was very wet and slick all around the pool and I could just see this baby falling and getting hurt. I'm a teacher and it is very hard to control my instincts and saying something to a child in my nice but what I call my "teacher's voice" when I see these things happen but it wasn't my child so I shut up and worried and sure enough she fell and got hurt but luckily didn't bust her head open like I feared. Sometimes I think I may be overly cautious with my kids but I don't care, I'd rather be overly cautious (as long as they're still allowed to do kid's stuff) than not enough and end up in the hospital!

 

[froglady]

Originally posted by yecats
As a child, I had a child's pool in my backyard. It was a round pool about 2 feet deep and 8 feet around. My mother always sat next to the pool and watched me. When I was about 5 the little girl across the street from me came over to swim, she was about 7 going on 8 at the time. This little girl was beginning to have mental problems from a drunk father, drunk mother and a grandfather who didn't care. We had two large german shepherds that began to bark in a wierd way. My mom walked 30 feet to the side gate as someone was getting ready to knock on our front door, my mother called over to the person who was about to knock on the door and then called to the two of us to get out of the pool. Missy, the little girl, thought it would be fun to hold my head underwater at this time and proceeded to do so. The salesman who had come to call noticed this little girl was still in the pool, mom couldn't see me because I was being held underwater and she came running over and basically had to revive me, she wasn't gone for anyless than a minute.

A similar incident happened to my daughter at our club's kiddie pool. I was sitting on the edge with my legs in the water when another child jumped on my then toddler and wouldn't let her up. I shouted at him to get off, but when he didn't, I reached over, grabbed him and tossed him out of the pool. (Not in the air, mind you!!!) He wasn't harmed, but was startled and angry that I had ruined his game, so he started yowling. As I was helping MY daughter get her breath back and calm down (she was very scared) the boy's mother came over from an area about 50 yards away where all of the lounge chairs are set up. She started yelling at me for "scaring her son, he was just a baby and couldn't swim and didn't MEAN it and how dare I touch him!!!" I told her that if she had been doing HER job, nothing would have happened, and EVERYONE would have had an enjoyable afternoon.

In retrospect, I might have treated him more gently; quite frankly, I wasn't concerned with his welfare at all. It's difficult to react slowly and rationally when you see your child in danger, and my maternal instinct took over. My only thought was to get him off her, and get her head out of the water. I'm just thankful that he wasn't hurt, and that my daughter was fine.

 

[pjlla]

Originally posted by Lewski709
Billy could be my Billy. My Billy (not really, but we'll call him Billy) is 5 and a very good swimmer. He can swim without any devices. I am not too concerned about him and I don't need to ogle over him. I am more concerned about his 16mo old brother. I don't expect anyone to babysit him either, but I don't need to keep him under constant supervision.

I am not saying this to flame you or start a debate, but I BEG OF YOU to start "ogling" over your 5 year old, as well as the baby. I just don't want to read here that we need to send "prayers and Pixie dust" your way because you have to attend a funeral or spent hours in the ICU with your child!! As MANY people have pointed out here, accidents happen. Both of my children are what I would consider "good" swimmers (ages 6 and almost 9) and we have a pool here at home. But they are NEVER, EVER, EVER allowed in the pool unless there is an adult sitting on the pool deck or in the pool with them. Not even if I go up to the house to use the bathroom or hang clothes on the line (which is within view of the pool). It is not always a matter of being a good swimmer or not... things happen!!! I will pray for you and your family and pray that God will change your heart about this situation. ......................P

 

[snoopy]

I read this and just shudder. I'm always a wreck with my kids at the swimming pool.......even though they both are o.k. swimmers I still have to have my eye on them at all times. Most times we visit the pool DH isn't with us, he is usually working, which means its 1 parent for 2 kids. My kids already know the rules in that case -- they both have to swim in the same spot, they can't go separate ways because I wouldn't be able to watch both of them. So its either that or they don't swim.

That lady is just crazy, plain out nuts. I guess she doesn't realize how prevalent drowning is among young children. Either that or doesn't realize how precious a gift her child is.

 

[cheeringmom]

My daughter is a lifeguard and when that happens again, please inform the guards that the child's parent is not in the pool area. The guards are usaully pretty good at letting the parents know that children are not to be left unattended.

 

[gina2000]

My little guy is almost ten and a very good competitive swimmer. I never let him out of my sight in the pool til last year. I finally relaxed enough to open a book and actually read a bit of it.

Kids make bad judgement calls when they're young. They may swim just fine but they don't always know what they're getting into. Their friends also make bad calls and may inadvertently do something to put another child at risk.

I didn't play the odds.

 

[treesinger]

Originally posted by Lewski709


Maybe you should suggest the pool institute a policy of "any child, unger the age of ____, when in the water, must be within arms reach of a parent/guardian over the age of 16 at all times."

Gosh, some would call this good old fashioned common sense! I'd truly hope that common sense didn't need a rule to enforce it. Then again, fuel containers have to say "Caution:Flammable" like you didn't know that the dang thing could blow up.

Whether at a pool, a picnic, a theme park...whatever. Young children REQUIRE supervision. It is your parental OBLIGATION. A younger child may start and think and act in a way consistent with responsible behavior, but they are still kids. And there are still accidents that happen, even to the best of us (remember Greg Louganis CHAMPIONSHIP diver, hit his head on a diving board? And he's a PROFESSIONAL, not a child) and then there is the "x" factor, the irresponsibility of OTHER children near your responsible child.

I'm not saying to keep the umbilical intact or to hire a security guard, just to keep a watchful, diligent eye out for your children. It can be done without being overbearing.

 

[allicat]

I think this says it all. This happened yesterday.




Girl, 6, drowns in motel pool


Published in the Home News Tribune 5/31/04

THE ASSOCIATED PRESS
WILDWOOD CREST -- Panicked guests tried in vain to revive a 6-year-old girl who drowned in a motel swimming pool over the weekend, witnesses said.

The child, whose identity had not been released, was rushed to Burdette Tomlin Memorial Hospital Saturday afternoon where she was pronounced dead, The Press of Atlantic City reported.

 

[Stepharoonie!]

 

[CEDmom]

Originally posted by treesinger
Gosh, some would call this good old fashioned common sense! I'd truly hope that common sense didn't need a rule to enforce it. Then again, fuel containers have to say "Caution:Flammable" like you didn't know that the dang thing could blow up.

Whether at a pool, a picnic, a theme park...whatever. Young children REQUIRE supervision. It is your parental OBLIGATION. A younger child may start and think and act in a way consistent with responsible behavior, but they are still kids. And there are still accidents that happen, even to the best of us (remember Greg Louganis CHAMPIONSHIP diver, hit his head on a diving board? And he's a PROFESSIONAL, not a child) and then there is the "x" factor, the irresponsibility of OTHER children near your responsible child.

I'm not saying to keep the umbilical intact or to hire a security guard, just to keep a watchful, diligent eye out for your children. It can be done without being overbearing.

You said this really well. ITA.

 

[hrh_disney_queen]

Originally posted by treesinger
Gosh, some would call this good old fashioned common sense! I'd truly hope that common sense didn't need a rule to enforce it. Then again, fuel containers have to say "Caution:Flammable" like you didn't know that the dang thing could blow up.

Whether at a pool, a picnic, a theme park...whatever. Young children REQUIRE supervision. It is your parental OBLIGATION. A younger child may start and think and act in a way consistent with responsible behavior, but they are still kids. And there are still accidents that happen, even to the best of us (remember Greg Louganis CHAMPIONSHIP diver, hit his head on a diving board? And he's a PROFESSIONAL, not a child) and then there is the "x" factor, the irresponsibility of OTHER children near your responsible child.

I'm not saying to keep the umbilical intact or to hire a security guard, just to keep a watchful, diligent eye out for your children. It can be done without being overbearing.

Very well said. And if I can just add something about children needing supervision.....Don't assume that because there is an adult in the area of your child, that they are watching your child (unless of course, you have an agreement with them). They (meaning ME, in my OP) are watching their OWN children. Just because they are in the area, doesn't mean that you are turning over your responsibility to them....

Thanks to all of you for posting support. I feel much better. I am a new member at this pool, so I don't feel comfortable making a big deal out of this. But it seems like if a child's life is at stake I may have to make that phone call.......wish me luck!

 

[Lewski709]

Originally posted by pjlla
I am not saying this to flame you or start a debate, but I BEG OF YOU to start "ogling" over your 5 year old, as well as the baby. I just don't want to read here that we need to send "prayers and Pixie dust" your way because you have to attend a funeral or spent hours in the ICU with your child!! As MANY people have pointed out here, accidents happen. Both of my children are what I would consider "good" swimmers (ages 6 and almost 9) and we have a pool here at home. But they are NEVER, EVER, EVER allowed in the pool unless there is an adult sitting on the pool deck or in the pool with them. Not even if I go up to the house to use the bathroom or hang clothes on the line (which is within view of the pool). It is not always a matter of being a good swimmer or not... things happen!!! I will pray for you and your family and pray that God will change your heart about this situation. ......................P

I think the level/advancement of the swimmer needs to be considered, not completely the age. A 10yr old, one would think could be ok on there own, but I've got kids in class that couldn't swim without a device to save their life.

If we are talking about a lake or ocean, it's totally different. I don't take my eyes off him for a second, or the other one at the pool. Different circumstances, different surroundings.

I would NEVER let my little guy swim alone. I am there, he has swam competitively and there are lifeguards. I don't believe for one moment they should be babysitters. <a href='http://www.smileycentral.com/?partner=ZSzeb008' target='_blank'><img src='http://smileys.smileycentral.com/cat/23/23_2_91.gif' border=0></a> He's pretty well behaved and knows the pool rules or we are outta there. I won't hesitate to leave with them in tow.

My mom is a Pool Aquatics Director, I've been a guard and am currently a swim teacher and my in laws have an indoor, in ground pool. He's in water all the time.

I never said I left him there alone. NO WAY! I am on the side or at the baby pool. I can't watch them both at the same time and am lucky enough that one doesn't need the constant supervision or we wouldn't be at the pool.

The rule about being at an arms length at all times obviously isn't a no brainer. Don't pee in the pool I'd say is a no brainer, but you see those signs all the time.

The community pool is fairly small and the people there know us. If what I was doing wasn't ok, they would say something. Thanks for your concerns, but AGAIN.....the level of the swimmer needs to be considered.

 

[EsmeraldaX]

I just can not belive some people.

I live in a multi family house with a big yard. Anyway, I was out in the yard with my dog the other day and the downstairs neighbor left her 2 year old hanging over the deck looking down on the yard. He son 10, and step daughter, 7 were also in the yard. She comes over and collects DS10 and says they are going to get pizza. So basically, I'm expected to then mind DD2 and DSD7. Who are on opposite ends of the yard.

Grrrr.

 

[LadyBears]

Originally posted by EsmeraldaX
I just can not belive some people.

I live in a multi family house with a big yard. Anyway, I was out in the yard with my dog the other day and the downstairs neighbor left her 2 year old hanging over the deck looking down on the yard. He son 10, and step daughter, 7 were also in the yard. She comes over and collects DS10 and says they are going to get pizza. So basically, I'm expected to then mind DD2 and DSD7. Who are on opposite ends of the yard.

Grrrr.

Thats when you say you have to go to the bathroom or go run an errand or return a phone call or that you won't be there because your dogs ball just went over the fence. Leave the yard at the same time. After a few times of excuses, maybe the neighbor might get the hint. &/OR say - "Hey - you forgot your kids!".

 

[kasar]

We belong to a pool club as well but children are not allowed to swim without their parents right there. They can't go in the big pool until they're 5 (unless with parent) and even then, they have to pass a test until they are 10 years old.

I think it has made an environment which encourages parents to supervise closely. There are plenty of lifeguards but they can't be everywhere. My DDs are 9 and 11 (competitive swim teams, both) and I think that JUST this year I may be more comfortable reading a book or running to the ladies room while they swim (lifeguards watching). I may be too overprotective but what's the alternative? I'd rather not find out.