Pool Policies

Last week, during spring break, I took my kids and a friend of theirs swimming at our local YMCA.  Their friend is a year older than my son and gets a little annoyed at having to be in the activity pool, instead of the main pool.  My two are still learning how to swim and she already knows how.

Out of curiosity, I asked a lifeguard how old kids had to be to go in the main pool.  I was surprised when he told me that the minimum age is 14 years old.  I would have guessed that kids 10 and up or so could be in there with a parent.  I wonder how well that policy is enforced, though.

At first, I felt that age was a little excessive.  Then, I thought about when I go there to swim laps.  I really do want the pool to be quiet and no playing around when I'm exercising.  Personally, I wouldn't care if an older child was in the main pool to swim laps, but not every child is well behaved.  Lifeguards are there to supervise the safety of all swimmers, not babysit unruly kids.  Years down the road, when my kids can be more serious about swimming for exercise and not playing around, I may have them join me in the main pool.  Like I said, I'm not sure how well enforced the rule is, but I do agree with it for the most part.

Thanks for reading!

 - Hot-Mommy