lustergirl
DIS Veteran
- Joined
- Aug 25, 2005
- Messages
- 7,596
Something to keep in mind, but also think about this - SAB is the largest pool on site and they have the most lifeguards on duty as well. We were there last year and left our kids in the pool while we went to the room for a rest and felt comfortable with doing so. My oldest was 13 and youngest was 6. This was later in our stay and they "knew" the pool very well. The lifeguards aren't babysitters, but they watch out for everything. Just make sure that your DD knows what to do and who to talk to if she needs anything. If she's confident in herself and independent, she will be fine.
How much smaller could you get for heavens sake? going to a crowded resort pool with families, staff and life guards?
Considering my 14 yr old was babysitting 2 little girls all day at the time she was 14 and taking them to swimming lessons and all around town on the bus and feeding them etc I hardly think going to the pool alone a massive increment!
I can't believe 14 yr olds don't go to community pools without their Mommies so why would Disney be any different.
It's fine to disagree, but I don't think you have to be rude about it (i.e, calling someone "small"). If you're comfortable with your 14 year old being all around town with someone else's kids and you trust her, great for you. Not everyone is as comfortable with this situation. Everyone is just giving a different opinion/perspective on the same subject.
I understand that you, personally, don't consider your 14 year old a child and that's your business and I didn't judge you nor the OP. Each child is different and each parent shoud assess each situation to see what is proper for their child, which I beleive the OP is. I was merely commenting on your statement that a 14 year old is not a child. Because, the fact is, physically, socially, mentally and legally 14 year olds are children and simply can not be held up to the standards of adults in regard to responsibility.How much smaller could you get for heavens sake? going to a crowded resort pool with families, staff and life guards?
Considering my 14 yr old was babysitting 2 little girls all day at the time she was 14 and taking them to swimming lessons and all around town on the bus and feeding them etc I hardly think going to the pool alone a massive increment!
I can't believe 14 yr olds don't go to community pools without their Mommies so why would Disney be any different.
I think I would be more comfortable with two 12 years old going together without an adult than one 14 year old going alone. All water safety guidlines I have ever seen say you should never swim alone, even if there are life guards.
The poster wasn't calling the other poster small - the other poster had said to give their child responsibility in "small incriments", and the poster was merely pointing out that they thought this was a small incriment (how much smaller - of an incriment - could you get).
There's enough rudeness floating around without seeing it where it doesn't exist.
I believe the OP was asking for Disney Policy - not advice. I think she's made up her mind about what her daughter can & should be allowed to do. Which is a parent's right.
There's a fine line between telling us what you feel comfortable with when it comes to your own child, and telling other people they're bad or neglectful parents because they don't agree with you.
Kids on school trips are always in groups with chaperones. They aren't really "alone" at the pool. Most of them want to hang around with their friends. I'm not easy letting them go alone any place. Just because it's Disney doesn't mean there are not weirdos around.
I agree, but not for the water safety alone, for the "predator". The key point is not her age, but that she is alone-she could be 16, 19 or 47. Women, by themselves, are a target for predators. Although, admittedly we are probably too paranoid, as a parent, I know I would want the peace of mind to feel totally relaxed knowing I wouldn't have to worry.
Yes, this situation is relatively low risk and, therefore, a good time to teach her the reality of responsibility. If she is outgoing enough, have her tell the lifeguard she is alone or you could go to the pool with her and do so yourself. Even just a "hey, is it ok if she's here by herself?" to one of the lifeguards, will alert them that she is alone. In fact, it would probably be a good idea to tell the front desk that your daughter will be alone for a while.
Kids on school trips are always in groups with chaperones. They aren't really "alone" at the pool. Most of them want to hang around with their friends. I'm not easy letting them go alone any place. Just because it's Disney doesn't mean there are not weirdos around.
Do you have a 14 yr old? Do you know how embarrassed a 14 yr old would be to do this or have it done to them? and many of the lifeguards aren't that much older than the 14 yr old and would probably get a good chuckle out of it. Why would the front desk need to know and what would you want them to do about it anyway? I'm really confused with this thread. The person in question is 14 not 8. Do you all get sitters for your 14 yr olds at home? Go everywhere with them? I guess I'm really having a hard time understanding this thread.
No, not around here. My son just turned 14 and is going into grade 9 - which is junior high.I agree!
I thought I was over-protective, but I guess not!
Aren't kids that are 14 in high school?!?
How many high school trips have you been on? I've chaperoned a few - two of them out of the country. In Quebec City we had freshmen so a fair number of 14 year olds. They were allowed off on their own. They just had to buddy up but they weren't necessarily with a chaperone. In France we had an older group but they also were allowed to buddy up and leave the group.
Key words - buddy up - that is not alone. If my son had a friend with him or his cousin,I wouldn't worry about letting them go to the parks alone. It's this "alone" thing that bothers me.
No, not around here. My son just turned 14 and is going into grade 9 - which is junior high.
How many high school trips have you been on? I've chaperoned a few - two of them out of the country. In Quebec City we had freshmen so a fair number of 14 year olds. They were allowed off on their own. They just had to buddy up but they weren't necessarily with a chaperone. In France we had an older group but they also were allowed to buddy up and leave the group.
Key words - buddy up - that is not alone. If my son had a friend with him or his cousin,I wouldn't worry about letting them go to the parks alone. It's this "alone" thing that bothers me.
Some of these kids didn't know each other before they "buddied" either. In france we were mixed with a group from a different part of the country. I am willing to bet that most 14 year olds if they wanted to socially interact could find another teenager or two to hang out with at a pool. I know my daughter could. So the they aren't alone!