Jean in Newcastle Posted February 2, 2012 Share Posted February 2, 2012 (edited) The kids and I went swimming tonight. There are signs posted all around the pool with the rules. There was a woman in the pool with her toddler. She got a kickboard for the toddler - a no-no in the family pool. (BTW - I understand how someone could bring one in by mistake but not what happened next.) The teen life guard came over and nicely told her that kickboards are not allowed in this pool but the lap pool only. She sat there arguing with him. The head life guard came over to explain to her why she could not have it in the pool. She pretended not to understand. I finally got fed up and told her "You may not have this in the pool. Period." She gave me a dirty look but all of a sudden understood and obeyed the rule. Not ten minutes later, she circumvents the lifeguard at the slide at the deep end by going behind him where he couldn't see her, grabs a necklace showing swim proficiency, puts it on her toddler and sends him down the slide. The poor baby couldn't swim and had to be pulled out by the lifeguard. It took 4 lifeguards to get her to get her baby and get out of the pool. :banghead: Edited February 2, 2012 by Jean in Newcastle Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
skirch Posted February 2, 2012 Share Posted February 2, 2012 I hate when people think the rules don't apply to them. :cursing: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chelle in MO Posted February 2, 2012 Share Posted February 2, 2012 Oh, my gosh! People like that drive me crazy! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
zaichiki Posted February 2, 2012 Share Posted February 2, 2012 Sounds like she might have some issues. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
meggie Posted February 2, 2012 Share Posted February 2, 2012 She really didn't care that her baby almost drowned? :confused: (at least that's what I'm assuming since she put a kid who can't swim down a slide in the deep end) What on earth? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
elfgivas Posted February 2, 2012 Share Posted February 2, 2012 poor kid :confused: ann Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jean in Newcastle Posted February 2, 2012 Author Share Posted February 2, 2012 She really didn't care that her baby almost drowned? :confused: (at least that's what I'm assuming since she put a kid who can't swim down a slide in the deep end) What on earth? I wasn't right by her at that point so I couldn't hear what she was saying to the lifeguards but ds14 was right there. He said that she was doing the "My baby just wanted to have fun on the slide. He was fine. You're overreacting." kind of thing. Perhaps she didn't know it was so deep and then didn't want to admit to being foolish? I really don't know. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GWOB Posted February 2, 2012 Share Posted February 2, 2012 Really? Really?!?!?! Just..... Huh? I'm sorry. This goes beyond "misunderstanding" the rules. That's just stupid. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
********* Posted February 2, 2012 Share Posted February 2, 2012 Why would anyone put a three year old down a slide in the deep end?! Ok, maybe there are 3 year olds who can swim that well, but I've just never met one. But OBVIOUSLY this lady KNEW her kid couldn't swim. Was she trying to hurt the baby on purpose?! What is WITH people?! I hope the lifeguards did more than make her get the baby out of the pool; she should be banned from the pool for some length of time, I would think, for pulling the necklace tag stunt she did. Seriously. What kind of crazy... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
zaichiki Posted February 2, 2012 Share Posted February 2, 2012 What kind of crazy... There are all kinds of crazy. I bet she has some issues. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kiana Posted February 2, 2012 Share Posted February 2, 2012 What the HELL?! What the BLOODY HELL?! Was she STONED? Or is she just that **** stupid?? Yes, she ought to be banned. But more than that she ought to be investigated for brain damage. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
meggie Posted February 2, 2012 Share Posted February 2, 2012 I wasn't right by her at that point so I couldn't hear what she was saying to the lifeguards but ds14 was right there. He said that she was doing the "My baby just wanted to have fun on the slide. He was fine. You're overreacting." kind of thing. Perhaps she didn't know it was so deep and then didn't want to admit to being foolish? I really don't know. :blink::crying::crying: That poor child! What the HELL?! What the BLOODY HELL?! Was she STONED? Or is she just that **** stupid?? Yes, she ought to be banned. But more than that she ought to be investigated for brain damage. :iagree: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ibbygirl Posted February 2, 2012 Share Posted February 2, 2012 That's whack! :eek: I'll bet she gets banned from the Y now! :glare: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jean in Newcastle Posted February 2, 2012 Author Share Posted February 2, 2012 What the HELL?! What the BLOODY HELL?! Was she STONED? Or is she just that **** stupid?? Yes, she ought to be banned. But more than that she ought to be investigated for brain damage. The only reason I can think for her to react the way she did was that the toddler was not upset or crying. In fact he wanted to go down again. But he obviously couldn't swim and was trying to reach the side unsuccessfully when the lifeguard jumped in. From the toddler's perspective it was a fun ride with a nice guy to lift him out when he was done. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Catwoman Posted February 2, 2012 Share Posted February 2, 2012 The only reason I can think for her to react the way she did was that the toddler was not upset or crying. In fact he wanted to go down again. But he obviously couldn't swim and was trying to reach the side unsuccessfully when the lifeguard jumped in. From the toddler's perspective it was a fun ride with a nice guy to lift him out when he was done. Thank goodness the lifeguards were doing their jobs. That mother sounds like a complete moron. And I'm being generous. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Xuzi Posted February 2, 2012 Share Posted February 2, 2012 Unfortunately, this isn't that uncommon. I used to be a lifeguard at a pool that had two water slides, and we had parents trying to send their toddlers down all. the. time. We had to have lifeguards posted both at the top of the slide *and* at the bottom of the stairs to make sure nobody who shouldn't be going down the slide even started going up the stairs. Of course then the poor lifeguards at the bottom ended up having to repeat the rules again and again to the bonehead parents, often more than once to the same parents. It's like they just didn't want to believe that water slides could *possibly* be dangerous. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kalanamak Posted February 2, 2012 Share Posted February 2, 2012 Not ten minutes later, she circumvents the lifeguard at the slide at the deep end by going behind him where he couldn't see her, grabs a necklace showing swim proficiency, puts it on her toddler and sends him down the slide. The poor baby couldn't swim and had to be pulled out by the lifeguard. I wonder if poor child will survive or be left in a car on a hot day. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cindergretta Posted February 2, 2012 Share Posted February 2, 2012 I hate when people think the rules don't apply to them. :cursing: :glare: It seems to be a common theme. And usually it just irritates me, but sometimes, it makes me so angry I see red. Last week my dd3 had surgery. There is *no* food or drink allowed on the whole floor as it is a children's hospital and on that floor it is all surgical, so these wee ones haven't eaten in a while, some for quite a while. So, to be sensitive to their needs, NO food. Some dumb morons just had to bring their McDonalds in. McDonalds!!!!!!!! The whole floor smelled of the crap. Uh yeah, I went up and made a complaint. I did NOT want my baby coming out of surgery smelling food she couldn't have after having not eaten for 14 hours. (I get that people need to snack, maybe for blood sugar reasons, or nervous energy, or what have you, but for crying out loud! Small snacks you can nibble kept in your purse, folks, not fast food that leaves a strong aroma all over!!!) This is up there with those who let their dogs run loose on school grounds where there are signs posted all over saying, "No Dogs on School Property!" What is with people who think the rules don't apply to them?! :001_huh: For the record, they DO. :glare: (/rant - Sorry! Pet peeve much??) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lisbeth Posted February 2, 2012 Share Posted February 2, 2012 There's a lot to be said about having your own, personal pool. Dealing w the general public is such a crapshoot. Idiots like this everywhere, and I don't need the constant blood pressure spike. We don't have our own pool, but this is going in my justification file for getting one.:eek: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lizzie in Ma Posted February 2, 2012 Share Posted February 2, 2012 Thank goodness the lifeguards were doing their jobs. That mother sounds like a complete moron. And I'm being generous. :iagree::iagree: You can't fix stupid. I feel bad for the lifeguards. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chris in VA Posted February 2, 2012 Share Posted February 2, 2012 I'd ban her from the pool for a year. Idiot. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DawnM Posted February 2, 2012 Share Posted February 2, 2012 So many people don't think the rules apply to them. It drives me nuts. I am a rule follower though....so what do I know? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jillian Posted February 2, 2012 Share Posted February 2, 2012 My Y would've revoked their membership. That's awful. When I worked as a lifeguard I had a family come into my neighborhood that did something similar except she just didn't give a flying carp that her toddler was running around and she wasn't watching him. They all got into the pool and left him on the lounge chairs. Well not even 5 seconds later the toddler goes running over to the side of the pool and jumps in. Down he goes I blow my whistle as prep to let people know a lifeguard is coming in and they turn around and see him, grab him, put him out of the pool and then turn back to their conversation. Then when our head lifeguard comes over and says you guys have to leave, they pitched a mega-fit. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Just Beachy Posted February 2, 2012 Share Posted February 2, 2012 We live around water and pools, so my kids swam at an early age. My oldest is even on the community swim team, but I have never heard of a swim necklace. What is it? I've googled and just saw jewelry. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Renee in NC Posted February 2, 2012 Share Posted February 2, 2012 We live around water and pools, so my kids swam at an early age. My oldest is even on the community swim team, but I have never heard of a swim necklace. What is it? I've googled and just saw jewelry. Kids have to pass a swim test. At our Y in FL, you got a necklace if they didn't pass the test. It lets the lifeguards know who can and can't swim. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
5forMe Posted February 2, 2012 Share Posted February 2, 2012 I hate when people think the rules don't apply to them. :cursing: :iagree: The irony is that these people think there are too many "rules" however it is unfortunate that the YMCA and other facilities have to create rules that may seem common sense to most of us. There was a thread the other day about military bases having rules that "children must be attended while outside" and the poster goes on to say with a :tongue_smilie: her toddler "escaped" the house and was riding his tricycle in the street around a cop car. Then ponders that the military has such harsh consequences by taking children from their parents for repeat offenses. To me it is common sense that children (especially toddlers) are supervised while outside near a road. Mind boggling. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nakia Posted February 2, 2012 Share Posted February 2, 2012 What the HELL?! What the BLOODY HELL?! Was she STONED? Or is she just that **** stupid?? Yes, she ought to be banned. But more than that she ought to be investigated for brain damage. My thoughts exactly. As a mom whose child very nearly did drown, reading the op made me feel like I was going to vomit. Ugh. People make me sick. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
elegantlion Posted February 2, 2012 Share Posted February 2, 2012 :confused: How awful. I would they would ban her for a period of time. When I was little, maybe not much older than that, I almost drowned in a lake. I remember that awful feeling or not being to breathe and then sitting on a hot metal yellow swing (Yeah, metal swing, also not a good idea) because someone had pulled me out and crying while someone got my mother. For some reason I remember she wasn't watching me, someone else was in charge. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nukeswife Posted February 2, 2012 Share Posted February 2, 2012 I'm glad your lifeguards were firm with her. Our y is like that too, but some other places we've been they are more lax and that makes people like the mother in your experience more dangerous. At our Y they don't have proficiency necklaces. In order to go down the slide you have to pass the test then the lifeguard ties a special plastic band on your wrist so it's more like the things they have at waterparks. It would be quite difficult to get the special plastic from the lifeguard since they keep it in a pocket on their person. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TracyR Posted February 2, 2012 Share Posted February 2, 2012 There are all kinds of crazy. I bet she has some issues. :iagree: I'm surprised they didn't tell them to leave. She just endangered her kids life?? Crazy. Sounds like your Y needs to change some things so that doesn't ever happen again. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Just Beachy Posted February 2, 2012 Share Posted February 2, 2012 Kids have to pass a swim test. At our Y in FL, you got a necklace if they didn't pass the test. It lets the lifeguards know who can and can't swim. Oh, okay. We're in Florida, too, but don't utilize the Y -- too far away. Thanks for clearing that up. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Laura in MI Posted February 2, 2012 Share Posted February 2, 2012 What the HELL?! What the BLOODY HELL?! Was she STONED? Or is she just that **** stupid?? Yes, she ought to be banned. But more than that she ought to be investigated for brain damage. My thoughts exactly. As a mom whose child very nearly did drown, reading the op made me feel like I was going to vomit. Ugh. People make me sick. :iagree: What is wrong with people!? :glare: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
QuirkyKapers Posted February 2, 2012 Share Posted February 2, 2012 She seems to be lacking some common sense in general. :iagree: You will have to let us know if you see her again or if she was banned. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jean in Newcastle Posted February 2, 2012 Author Share Posted February 2, 2012 Kids have to pass a swim test. At our Y in FL, you got a necklace if they didn't pass the test. It lets the lifeguards know who can and can't swim. Yup. The thing is, there was a lifeguard at the bottom of the slide to monitor who goes up. He almost stopped the child but then saw the necklace and thought that the child might be a precocious swimmer (it's rare but we have a very few at our Y). Even so, he did move even closer to the edge to especially watch this child come down. That was why the lifeguard was so quick to get the child once he got down to the water. This lifeguard is ds's friend and ds was standing right next to him so ds saw the whole thing. I didn't see this part because I was swimming farther down the pool. But everything in the pool stopped when the lifeguard jumped in! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
zaichiki Posted February 3, 2012 Share Posted February 3, 2012 He almost stopped the child but then saw the necklace and thought that the child might be a precocious swimmer (it's rare but we have a very few at our Y). I have two cousins who were regular fish by 2-3 years old... but they practically grew up on their parents' scuba charter boat. IME there aren't too many kids who are extremely comfortable in the water at that age. My 9 y.o. dd couldn't swim independently at that age, but she LOVED jumping in and going under water. She would yell and scream and have a fit if we caught her. She *wanted* to go under. (Of course we'd be right there to help her bob back up after the jump. I'm sure some people thought WE were crazy. LOL!) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.