swimming with 2 dcs

[oregonianabroad]

i have 2 under 3 and really want to go swimming -- is this insane? it's embarassing enough getting my hairy, scary self into the pool, let alone slipping around with 2 tots. your tips and experiences please?

[Kathyis6incheshigh]

Were you planning to take them on your own? If so check your pool's policy on supervision - you may need one parent per child at that age.

[pyjamaqueen]

No, it's not insane. Check the rules at your local pool though as some have strict adult to child ratios.

[bigknickersbigknockers]

Our pool has a policy of one adult per child (depending on ages) which makes it impossible for me and DH to take our 3 children swimming, which annoys me because DS1 is almost 7 and a good swimmer.

[oregonianabroad]

don't know about pool policy. used to belong to a nice club but gave up membership to avoid poorhouse. but rules permitting, what do you think?

[babyblue2]

I go swimming with 2 dcs every week, admittedly they're 2 and 4 so its a bit easier than 2 under 3 but we go to the tots session through the daytime so its not busy.

[pyjamaqueen]

Would be best if you could find a pool where there's a gradual slope into the pool so they can stand up.

[LowFat]

Our pool dont allow one parent to 2 children under 4 unless it's the mums n tots session. Where there are life guards and swimming coaches on hand.



I only take mine to this because DD's swimming session is directly after and I get DS dried on poolside and then sat in his bath chair watching DD in her lesson.

It is daunting, but it really helps if at least one of them can dress themselves.
My DC's are 4 and 9 mnths.

[bozza]

When mine were 3 1/2 and 3 months I used to take them together to the Mums and tots session where the shallow end was roped off. It was not easy. TBH the worse bit was getting dried aferwards. DD would always be exhausted and whiny. It was exacerbated though because the pool was being renovated so only half the changing rooms were in use and because it was a group session everyone got out at the same time and it was really crowded. I think you need to be organised and have a plan of action for when you get out, probably including a snack (banana?) for your older one.

[oregonianabroad]

Thanks all.
That's exactly what I am worried about Bozza, but I'm glad to hear that it can be managed!

[tortoisekinnockSHELL]

I've taken 3 children - 5, 3 and 1 (then). It all depends on your pool policy - some are 1:1, somE 3:1. What you need is a changing regime.

My regime is as follows - take 2 or 3 towels. Get out the pool, wrap older child in towel. Leave them in towel while you change baby/younger child. Now the very important bit - STRAP YOUNGER CHILD IN BUGGY. Now attend to older child, but do not put shoes on. Sit them on the bench in the cubicle, and tell them to stay there or their feet will get wet. Now get yourself changed, then put older child's shoes on, and serenely and calmly leave.

[bozza]

That sounds like a good routine, older child could eat snack while wrapped in towel I think and younger child depending on how young while in buggy.

[oregonianabroad]

Wow, T SHell, you are a Mermaid Queen! Thanks for the tips, can't wait to get back to the pool.

[tortoisekinnockSHELL]

That would work bozza, or you could save older child's snack for when you're getting changed (ime they don't go anywhere whilst in their towel, but can go wandering once they're dressed).

[christywhisty]

no way would I take 2 under 5's swimming. My son was swimming at 3 mostly underwater and it was impossible to keep an eye on him and my daughter at the same time.
At our pool is one adult per child under 5 and children under 8 have to be good swimmmers

[TheMadHouse]

I take my two (15 months and 2.5) every week. I have since the baby was born. it is not too bad. They both wear armbands and really love it.

In am lucky as the local pool has a paly pe and a baby changing facilities and both my boys love the water

[hotcrumpets]

Glad to see this thread I have been looking at getting one of these

www.kiddicare.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductDisplay?storeId=10001&parent_category_rn=&product Id=14796&bct=&top_category=&N=856&langId=-1&catalogId=10751

Has anybody used one? It looks pretty good, still the changing thing afterwards to sort out but tortoise's tips look good!

[harrisey]

Hoody towels or towel ponchos - something like that to put on as soon as you get out of the pool.

I sometimes used to take my dressing gown to keep me warm while I dried and dressed 2 under 3 (in fact stated taking mine together when ds was 8 weeks and dd1 25 months. I just had a very tight method of doing it all.

1. get out, towels on, cozzies off
   
2. smaller child on changing table in big changing room (was known to knock on doors to expel people who shouldnt have been in them in my hormonal state)
   
3. dry and dres older child. Give older child snack (ignore "do not eat in teh changing rooms" signs
   
4. dry and dress baby
   
5. if neccesary, feed baby
   
6. dress self. You are dry by now
   
7. pick breadstick crumbs and stray raisins off changing room floor
   
8. go home.

[Smithagain]

I really don't fancy that sling, hotcrumpets. It looks way too easy to dunk the baby in, face first, while moving around in the water. Better to have them in your arms, and follow your natural instinct to lift them clear if anything unexpected happens. Particularly if you have another child with you.

And to answer the question, I only just feel comfortable about the idea of taking my two on my own, now that they are 2 and 5. The 5 year old can swim about 3 metres and is very confident in the water. The two year old loves to paddle around in an alarming manner and one of these days she's going to go under and get a fright ...

[EmsMum]

I had an NCT chum with twins... all the pools round here have 1 adult per tiddler. Luckily I have only one DD and had a nanny who was happy to help so we all went together.

That was a pretty optimal solution for my friend ... if your pool allows more than one child per adult still might be good idea to go with a friend with one child so that you're a little less outnumbered.