Pool Question (not hopping don't worry)

[anditoo72]

At what age do you let the kids go to the pool alone? I have three little ones that I wouldn't let out of my sight, but I am also bringing three pre-teens- I don't have them all the time- one neice, one nephew, and one is my step son that we only see in the summertime , He lives in England. My step son is 13 and my nephew is 12- I was thinking it was alright for these kids to go what do you think? My neice is only 10 so I think that is to young or am I totally wrong and should be there for the 13 and 12 year old too? It's hard when they arn't with you all the time. Before my own kids were born I use to sit in the bathroom with my step son when he was six (I didn't know) and he told me that his Mom at home lets him do it alone OOPS!! Now that I have a six year old I understand this is the time they get embarrassed, my son is so funny he goes to me, when I am getting his clothes out-"Mommy don't see me naked" anyway I am way off topic! Obviously I need help with this!!!

 

[mbb]

...and it sounds like that's what you want to do

So grab a book, and a "beverage", enjoy some relaxing time around the pool...that way, you'll have no worries about what they're doing, or the choices they are making.

HTH!!

 

[bartleby1]

I would definitely NOT let them go to the pool alone. A 12 or 13 year old can still drown. You never know what can happen. I don't think you can be too careful when it comes to kids and swimming.

 

[Jordan's MOM]

I think that Disney has a rule that they have to be a certain age to leave alone at the pool. I am thinking that it "might" be fourteen. I have a twelve year old and would not leave him there alone but he has friends that I know their parents would. WDW pools are life guarded most of the time BUT this age kids can get into stuff real quick. I would too just hang out by the pool.
I bet your little one are going to want to hang with the big guys anyway.


Jordans' mom

 

[anditoo72]

I was thinking the same thing as all of you! I just wanted to be sure. Hey they don't have to hang around me, I will be with the little ones anyway. But I am there if anything happens or they start acting up!!!

 

[bobcat]

I don't let my 12 yo swim alone. I will let her walk down a little earlier and get us chairs, or go to the food court to refil our mugs. If she had a friend with her I might give her a little more freedom, but I still wouldn't let them swim alone.

You might want to look into getting two way radios. Even if you don't plan on using them in the parks they are great around the hotel.

 

[CathyC]

As a part time lifeguard and swim instructor, and a full time Mom, I would say go with them. Even if Disney does not have a minimum age. There are lifeguards there, but the pools are also Huge! While I am sure the lifeguards are great and the kids are well behaved, problems can arrise so quickly that youwould want to be there. Plus, it is always nice for a lifeguard to have an attentive parent there to help enforce the rules and keep their kids safe. Also, do you know the swimming ability of your neice and nephew? It might be a good idea to find out if you don't know, just so there aren't any surprises. Have fun and enjoy the sun while you they enjoy the pool!

 

[bigbabyblues]

I wouldn't let them go alone either. You don't have to stay right beside them the whole time, just get a nice lounge chair and watch from the side, relax, read a book, whatever, but keep an eye on them, 'cause anything can happen.

I do remember though, that not too terribly long ago, I was dropped off at the pool daily from the time I was 10 or 11 until I was in high school, and picked up when it closed.

 

[anditoo72]

My neice and nephew live in a complex that has a pool and they are in it most of the summer. The other part of the summer they are at thier Grandmother's house, she has an indoor pool. My step son spent last summer vacation cliff diving in Spain with his mother. so I know they are all proficient swimmers, but like everyone else has stated you just never know what is going to happen around water.

 

[Hollua]

I'll be the lone dissenter. I might let kids go alone if they are very good swimmers and they are responsible kids. I think there are probably loads of kids this age that should not go alone, but even more that should be allowed to go alone.

We go to a private beach on the ocean every summer. My kids, nieces, and nephews all have a healthy respect for water. If they act irresponsibly we glue an adult to them or make them stay in the cottage all day, so they know better than to do stupid stuff.

My brothers and I were on a swim team from 8 years old. We used to walk a half mile to the swim club everyday by ourselves. My mom used to call about five minutes after we should have been there to check on us. We never knew that 'til we were adults.

In this case I think you should go with them for your own piece of mind. You don't really sound confident about letting them go it alone for any length of time

 

[Zoesmama03]

From what I've read some of the hotel swimming pools have lifeguards on duty. My mom used to drop my brothers and I off at a local community swimming pool for the afternoon when we were those ages.

However I'm willing to bet that the ones that don't have lifeguards require an adult for kids under 16. Most pools at hotels and apartments both have signs that say adult is required for children under 16.

I'd say check if there are lifeguards and if they are good swimmers and its not a rule let them go alone. But if no lifeguard I'd personally go with. I know a lady at my dd playgroup who left her baby in hotel room sleeping safely in playpen to go down to her car and they called police and security and of course she was in Nevada(we are in AZ) and so she had to go back for court on child neglect case. You certainly don't want to have to go back for court. I'd hate to see you get in trouble over them going swimming alone. Take a book and get some relaxing sun tanning in.

 

[Scoootch]

Most of the pools at WDW (with the exception of the quiet pools) all have life guards on duty during the daytime hours. That being said, the main pools are pretty big and the life guards are there to keep everyone safe - not to be baby sitters. While your kids may be very well behaved, even some of the most well behaved kids at those ages should really have a parent or gaurdian within eye shot.

JMHO