What age can kids go to the pool alone?

[Surr]

A 14 year old child should not go to a public pool alone. It is not the responsibilty of other guests or the lifeguards to insure her safety. A 14 year old can be allowed some freedoms, but going to a an open chaotic environment like a pool is risky. Going to the pool to meet friends, ok. Going to the movies with friends, ok. Going places near home, where she knows people ok. No matter how smart a 14 year old is, it is in their nature to take risks. A cute older boy could take advantage of her. Someone could follow her back to the room. Most likely everything would be fine, but there are bad people out there and accidents do happen. What would happen if she hits her head in the pool? Is her room key attached to her swimsuit? How will a lifeguard identify her? How would they find her cell phone? How would you be contacted, if she is unresponsive and does not have her phone on her? If she is in the pool, someone could easily observe she is alone and steal her bag, or remove her phone or room key while she is in the water.

I can't imagine leaving a 14 year old alone at a park, pool, or anywhere away from home without a buddy.

 

[maxiesmom]

A 14 year old child should not go to a public pool alone. It is not the responsibilty of other guests or the lifeguards to insure her safety.

Disney states that children need to be 12 years of age to be alone at the pool. So obviously it is fine with them, which is what I think the OP was asking. If you don't agree with it, then fine. But don't give the OP a hard time for making a choice that is ok by Disney.

 

[princessmom29]

Of course I know children have more sense than an inanimate object (but not necessarily judgment) to stay safe. V ery few folks would RISK losing a bracelet but feel justified in risking the life and safety of a child in the name of life's lessons.The huge point is what RISK are you willing to take with your kids. I didn't want to take a lot of risk and I have no regrets. My kids finished college, and graduate school, learning life's lessons in a way where they weren't raped or fished off the bottom of a pool. I personally valued them enough to minimize the risk that something awful would happen. If folks want to let kids learn through hard knocks that is their choice. As a child therapist who sees lots of independent kids with poor judgment I am biased toward being careful. Notice that I haven't insulted or put down any one else but just expressed my opinion.

I am in absoulte awe that this comes from a therapist!!!! Aren't therapists spoosed to help balance our world view, not make us scared of our own shadows??? This post certainly didn't make me feel any more balanced. Just made me angry and franlky insulted.

 

[KellyNY]

A 14 year old child should not go to a public pool alone. It is not the responsibilty of other guests or the lifeguards to insure her safety. A 14 year old can be allowed some freedoms, but going to a an open chaotic environment like a pool is risky. Going to the pool to meet friends, ok. Going to the movies with friends, ok. Going places near home, where she knows people ok. No matter how smart a 14 year old is, it is in their nature to take risks. A cute older boy could take advantage of her. Someone could follow her back to the room. Most likely everything would be fine, but there are bad people out there and accidents do happen. What would happen if she hits her head in the pool? Is her room key attached to her swimsuit? How will a lifeguard identify her? How would they find her cell phone? How would you be contacted, if she is unresponsive and does not have her phone on her? If she is in the pool, someone could easily observe she is alone and steal her bag, or remove her phone or room key while she is in the water.

I can't imagine leaving a 14 year old alone at a park, pool, or anywhere away from home without a buddy.

A child can wear her roomkey in a plastic bag the same they sell in water parks, so she can be easily identified.

I'm sorry but how someone can possibly take advantage of a girl in a pool full of people

Anyone can follow anyone in the room, just be careful.

Anyone can take anyones phone, bag, glasees if the person is in a pool. It has nothing to do with age.

It takes a real effort to drawn in a 3ft pool.

Lifeguards are really watching for any sorts of problems.

 

[PrincessKsMom]

Here's another thread just begun on the CB.

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2266762

I bet they disappeared cause their parents didn't give them enough freedom at an early age. (Sorry, I just couldn't pass that one up since those of us who shelter and protect our children are such bad parents).

Snarkiness aside, I really hope they find these girls safe and well.

 

[PrincessTiffany]

Disney states that children need to be 12 years of age to be alone at the pool. So obviously it is fine with them, which is what I think the OP was asking. If you don't agree with it, then fine. But don't give the OP a hard time for making a choice that is ok by Disney.

Disney also states that you can leave your 7 year old alone in the Magic Kingdom, that doesn't mean I'm going to do it.

 

[Howellsy]

Disney also states that you can leave your 7 year old alone in the Magic Kingdom, that doesn't mean I'm going to do it.

No-one said you had to The PP was just stating that the OP's question with regards to Disney's policy had been answered.

 

[PrincessTiffany]

No-one said you had to The PP was just stating that the OP's question with regards to Disney's policy had been answered.

I was speaking as to Disney's relatively insignificant age policies.

 

[Pats Dragon]

Sorry you guys who took offense to my quote. Actually I think the cautious parents were being put down more than they were putting down and I suspected that some replies bordered on rudeness because the poster was a teen wanting more independence. I merely meant that I am happy that I was cautious. My kids grew up. Other parents with the willingness to risk more also had good results. Some did not. Its a choice. Some parents don't use seatbelts and their kids are ok. Others have tragedies happen. I just meant that you choose how much you want to risk. I won't judge you just because you see things differently. My therapist remark is to let those of you know that freedom with poor judgment seems to cause problems. A therapist's role is to let familys lead in bringing about positive change. Part of the process is to explore choices and possible consequences. Honestly no judgment intended.

 

[mickeymyfavorite]

My therapist remark is to let those of you know that freedom with poor judgment seems to cause problems. A therapist's role is to let familys lead in bringing about positive change. Part of the process is to explore choices and possible consequences. Honestly no judgment intended.

your freedom with POOR judgment remark is an opinion, because your a therapist it is still an opinon. Opinions we all have, and opinions are made clear on this thread.

This thread is like beating a dead horse!

 

[Withacy]

I won't judge you just because you see things differently. My therapist remark is to let those of you know that freedom with poor judgment seems to cause problems. A therapist's role is to let familys lead in bringing about positive change. Part of the process is to explore choices and possible consequences. Honestly no judgment intended.

You won't judge? Your statements were about as judgemental (and harsh) as they get. What kind of therapist are you?

Considering a "therapist" once told me the reason I was SHY was because *I* had obviously been molested by a family member - but blocked it out of my memory - I'm less than willing to take your opinion as gospel.

I'm sure you think people who disagree with you are more harsh. But let's sum up what the two sides here are saying:

People who think a 14 year old SHOULD be allowed to go to a public swimming pool unaccompanied are at WORST suggesting that those who disagree with them are overprotective and possibly raising weak children who will be unable to function without them as adults. AT WORST - most people aren't even implying that, though people who are oversensitive seem to be taking it that way.

The People who think a 14 year old SHOULD NOT be allowed to go to a public swimming pool alone are at worst saying that those who disagree with them WANT their children to be molested or killed - or at the very least don't care - some have even gone so far as to say a parent who allows this are criminally negligent.

So I'm sorry, but being called "overprotective" is NOT getting the worst of the insults in this thread.

Believing your child is capable of acting independently for a short period of time IS NOT the same thing as driving around without a seatbelt. Just because YOU see the boogyman behind every tree doesn't mean he's there and everyone else is just ignoring him.

And if you ARE a therapist, you know perfectly well that those children you're so wild to protect from the big bad world are FAR MORE LIKELY to be molested by your husband, brother, nephew or neighbor than someone at the Beach Club pool.

So let's make a deal - you go ahead and micromanage every moment of your child's life, if you want - but at least acknowledge that people who feel that isn't necessary (maybe not even helpful) don't get their children through childhood unscathed by a lucky accident of fate, OK?

 

[Surr]

Disney states that children need to be 12 years of age to be alone at the pool. So obviously it is fine with them, which is what I think the OP was asking. If you don't agree with it, then fine. But don't give the OP a hard time for making a choice that is ok by Disney.

I believe Disney states that children need to be 12 without a parent or guardian, it does not say it is ok for them to be there alone. I contend that Disney would say nobody should swim alone.

 

[mjkacmom]

I believe Disney states that children need to be 12 without a parent or guardian, it does not say it is ok for them to be there alone. I contend that Disney would say nobody should swim alone.

So, if you are travelling alone, you shouldn't use the pools? I agree with not swimming ALONE, as in, being the only person there. When we were at the BC, we were not actively watching our older children - we knew they were in the area, but in the lazy river, on the slide... If they were drowning, I certainly wouldn't see them, but would hope someone else would, maybe the lifeguard? My kids swim better than I do, but I think I could handle going to the pool all by myself.

 

[Withacy]

I believe Disney states that children need to be 12 without a parent or guardian, it does not say it is ok for them to be there alone. I contend that Disney would say nobody should swim alone.

Really?

Yes, I'm sure it would be nice if I had a nurse with me 24 hours a day to monitor my vitals and make sure I eat properly and floss.

I'm sure there's alot of things we'd all have in a perfect world.

But I'm 45 years old, I've been swimming since I was 4, and I personally don't think Disney cares whether I want to wade into a 3 foot pool alone or with a properly designated buddy. I'm sure they'd prefer I was sober, properly dressed, not eating, drinking, smoking or fighting with my imaginary friend. But whether or not I'm properly supervised - I think that's probably way down on their list of priorities.

I'm sure on the great list of 14 year old behavior, they'd probably prefer a well-behaved 14 year old who was alone and obeying the rules to one that was running around, screaming, pushing, splashing and generally creating a ruccus with her friends.

 

[AliceinHalloweentown]

I can't imagine leaving a 14 year old alone at a park, pool, or anywhere away from home without a buddy.

I've been flying alone since I was 14.

Do you have issues with that, too? Kids need freedoms, but they just need the lessons and maturity to back it up.

 

[mjkacmom]

I've been flying alone since I was 14.

Do you have issues with that, too? Kids need freedoms, but they just need the lessons and maturity to back it up.

Dd flew alone for the first time at the age of 11! Good thing she didn't get seated next to the boogyman!

 

[maxiesmom]

I believe Disney states that children need to be 12 without a parent or guardian, it does not say it is ok for them to be there alone. I contend that Disney would say nobody should swim alone.

I just went and looked at a pic of a Disney pool sign. In part it states "Children under 12 must have adult supervision." No where on it does it say anything about having to have a swim buddy.

 

[AliceinHalloweentown]

Dd flew alone for the first time at the age of 11! Good thing she didn't get seated next to the boogyman!

I didn't have a reason to until 14, but I'm glad your DD's flight went smoothly

Like I said before, if you don't give your kids any independence, how will they function in the real world?

I get my license next month, and my parents are trusting me with that privilege of independence.

Heck, I was walking around the MK with a friend alone at the age of 12, with a cell phone to update my parents.

 

[Surr]

A child can wear her roomkey in a plastic bag the same they sell in water parks, so she can be easily identified.

I'm sorry but how someone can possibly take advantage of a girl in a pool full of people

Anyone can follow anyone in the room, just be careful.

Anyone can take anyones phone, bag, glasees if the person is in a pool. It has nothing to do with age.

It takes a real effort to drawn in a 3ft pool.

Lifeguards are really watching for any sorts of problems.

I have seen the plastic pouches on lanyards, but havent been to the waterparks, so don't know what the bags are like. I would think on a girls swimsuit they would be uncomfortable. Don't they float, unless you can get all the air out.


I have read many reports of people "accidentally" removing girls tops in pools. Teenage boys love to do this as a "joke".

You are right, anyone can follow anyone. Which makes a lone 14 year old at greater risk. They are less likely to recognize the risks. Colleges recommend that coeds don't walk to gyms, etc alone, but it is ok for a 14 year old (or 12 year old) to go the pool alone? With parents off on a tour?

A person alone is more likely to have belongings stolen. It is easy for a person sitting nearby to see you are alone, and see you swim to the other side of the pool and grab your stuff. This is especially true at a crowded pool.

It is very easy to drown in 3 inches of waters, much less 3 feet. Granted in a public place it is not likely to happen in three inches, but in 3 feet it can and does. Do you think drownings never happen when lifeguards are present?

The lifeguards I have seen a Disney pools are often not much more than teenagers themselves. They get distracted. It only takes seconds to drown. If the Disney lifeguards are so attentive, why do children under 12 need a parent or guardian?

Granted, bad things only happen rarely, but they do happen. Obviously this is a personal decision as Disney will not know if you are there alone or not.

Here is a link to what the Red Cross says about water safety. Swimming Safety

If you notice the first rule is to swim in designated areas supervised by lifegaurds, the second rule is never swim alone. The Red Cross is in the business of training life guards.

 

[Stinky_Pete]

Hey - anyone see this thread?

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2262649