My daughter and her friend (which are both 12) want to go swimming at a public pool. Are they old enough to be dropped off for a couple of hours or do they need to be older? She is very responsible. When I told her I wasn't sure about letting her go swimming, she said that she rides her bike back and forth to school. I'm just not sure about what she should and shouldn't be able to do w/out parental supervision.
2007-06-02 00:07:07 · 18 answers · asked by sherry c 2 in Pregnancy & Parenting ➔ Parenting
I let my 12.5 year old go swimming at a nearby public pool, but my mother lives across the street from the pool so if anything happens she has someone close by to get help from. I think by 12 children should know what to do when they are out and if you hold them back they begin to resent not having any freedom and feel like you don't trust them. If you've done your best to teach her then let her spread her wings and learn how to fly. And IF anything happens talk to her but let her try again.
2007-06-02 03:50:17 · answer #1 · answered by Lostlove 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
My 14 yr old has been on her own at home since she was 10. Yes, she's very responsible too. I will let her walk into our small town (about a mile) with a friend but only when she's done something really special like cleaned the house or got an A on her report card. I worry alot about wierdos at pools. I would ask the pool people if they've had problems and if 12 yr olds need supervision.
2007-06-02 00:20:49 · answer #2 · answered by cindyunion 3 · 1⤊ 1⤋
It depends on a couple of things. First, you trust your daughter, but do you trust her friend? And is she the type to make different decisions under peer pressure? Also, the neighbor hood and the people at the pool must be taken into account. Try having them go on a day where a daycare or summer program will be there. They may not be being watched by you, but on those type of days someone is more apt to notice if something is wrong. I lived in a not so safe neighborhood and went to the pool starting at age 11, and it was quite a god way for me to learn how to be responsible on my own.
2007-06-02 00:19:51 · answer #3 · answered by liongirrl13 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
What are the pool rules? Usually there is an age limit under which adult supervision is required. How good of a swimmer is she and her friend? Physical safety rules aside, she's probably quite capable of responsible behavior.
Personally, I'm paranoid of sexual predators and the answer would still be no if the friend's parents weren't there. I think there's more to the answer than just being unsupervised.
2007-06-02 02:07:57 · answer #4 · answered by ChickPilot 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
It kinda depends on their maturity level, but I do think 12 is to young to be left alone for swimming I would not trust the life guards even though they might be good at their jobs, to make sure she does not get hurt or something. A parent is a much better at that sort of thing.
2007-06-02 02:07:37 · answer #5 · answered by nicolelove 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Create some way of contacting her, like lending her a cellphone you can call every 30 mins., or the number of her friend, or the contact number of the pool. It's a bit paranoid, but having any form of connection and contact with her may allay your fears of her not being all right. Trust her to answer the phone when you ring.
And if your parent senses feel that something's up, trust them. She's your daughter though, and you know best.
Hope I helped. :]
2007-06-02 00:23:44 · answer #6 · answered by crushedblackice 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I didn't let my kids go to the pool alone until they were 14. We lived down the street and around the corner from the pool and they had to come home and check in every hour. When they got a little older and were able to go further, I gave them a prepaid cell phone to be able to call them and they called me.
2007-06-02 03:11:50 · answer #7 · answered by bulldogsmom1980 2 · 0⤊ 1⤋
She is just at the right age to want to start showing some independence. Believe in her and let her go...especially since it is a public pool.
2007-06-02 00:22:45 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
Ask yourself what kind of thugs, miscreants or sexual predators might use the place (swimming pool) as an area to find young girls.
How many boys are there that will try to get her to go off with them into the park, a car or even their home to fool around?
Young girls don't realize what young boys are up to most of the time.
2007-06-02 00:17:14 · answer #9 · answered by grantwiscour 4 · 1⤊ 1⤋
Now, my boys are 6 and 4, so I still have a few years before dealing with this. However, right now, I can't imagine ever letting my kids go anywhere unsupervised. The world is just too scary nowadays. Pedophiles are everywhere, lurking, just waiting to grab our kids.
I, personally, think 12 is too young. Maybe (BIG maybe, for me) when she gets to high school you could reconsider.
2007-06-02 00:44:13 · answer #10 · answered by Michelle 3 · 0⤊ 1⤋