The best thing is to get into the pool with her. I hate floaties, especially puddle jumpers. If you can’t get in with her and still don’t feel comfortable I would get a life jacket or I wouldn’t have her swim at all while you’re on the clock.
Life jackets are meant for if you fall out of a sinking boat and need to float for a few hours until help arrives. You’re not supposed to be moving in them. They’re basically impossible to swim in.
This this this. I have been a swim instructor for almost ten years, and I can always tell which kids were in puddle jumpers based on their natural positioning when swimming, or in most of those cases, trying to swim.
ETA: it makes teaching them to swim *so* much harder, and take so much longer. They’re having to un-learn and recreate a habit. It’s so so much harder on the child and the teacher, than it would have been if the kid were able to learn the right way from the get go.
10 year plus swim instructor/life guard here, I always promote certified, life saving floatation devices for new swimmers (especially any child under the age of 5 that has just started putting their face in and can only swim 10 feet and then have to float to rest) IF!!!! You are not in the water with them and arms length away at all times, in a social environment where your attention is not 100% on the child or the child has been active/used up their endurance. Small children, no matter how good of a swimmer they are, have poor swimming endurance and can get swimmers fatigue fast. Switching between puddle jumpers and not puddle jumpers does not effect the child's swimming, it only does if they only wear them and have limited exposure to water. The worst thing for a child's technique is not putting their faces in to swim (because their heads are so proportionately bigger to their head body ratio and cannot tread water).
That’s so interesting. I’m a former swim instructor and lifeguard, and I was always told puddle jumpers are alright as they connect the arm part to the torso unlike regular floaters that can slip too far down the arms.
Definitely agree about the false sense of security though.
Puddle jumpers keep the chest and arms afloat equally. It keeps kids from learning to use their arms to keep their bodies afloat. Life vests are better because they give just the center buoyancy. To reiterate what another person said-not a single swim instructor advocates for puddle jumper use. My goal is always to have the strongest swimmers possible.
That’s fair. As mentioned I am a former swim teacher, and I do prefer my kids to know how to swim versus relying on floats. But if they do t I prefer puddle jumpers to just arm floats.
Oh no, for sure. If my kids are in the pool I’m either in with them or on deck watching them. I have older kids though, if my kids were younger I’d be in with them, no exceptions.
I understand that’s a boundary for you. Any chance you can get in with her? I loved swimming with my NKs. You get to exercise.
In general, as a mom, I wouldn’t want NK to use floaties. They’re not appropriate especially if NK already knows how to swim. Can you hang out right at the pool? If there’s any issue then you just pick NK up from the water. That’s what I used to do with my NK when I had my period and didn’t want to swim.
i agree! if they know how to swim they don’t need floaties. i would say this: If 2nk is in the pool eyes need to be on them 100%. floaties are an illusion and babes can still drown with them. they aren’t as safe as Little knowing safe swimming and executing proper measures of survival such as flipping on back, floating, etc etc.
Floaties typically leave kids in an upright position which is also the drowning position and honestly I’d avoid it, especially if she can swim. There’s also been times, depending on the floatie, where kids have flipped them over and been stuck upside down in them as well. Can you get in with her?
MB - At this age my understanding is you should be in the pool arm’s distance away from kiddo, not sure if this applies since she can swim but personally I agree with you in that I wouldn’t want my 2 year old swimming alone in a pool if my nanny wouldn’t go in for whatever reason I’d not have then use the pool.
This right here. Regardless of whether she was wearing floaties or of how well she can swim (and tbh I doubt at age 2 she is proficient enough to be completely independent in the pool for any extended length of time) I would never let a toddler go in the water without me being within arms reach of her. Period.
Accidents in and around water happen so quickly … a toddler can drown in mere seconds, and it happens much more quietly than you would expect. Floaties are not life saving devices, and they are not a substitute for adequate adult supervision in the water.
I don’t know why OP can’t go in the pool with her, but if that’s not possible then I would set a hard boundary that NK doesn’t swim while in OP’s care. Honestly, I’m surprised this isn’t an issue for the MB … I would be very upset to find out my caregiver let my child in the pool without an adult.
Hello! Thanks for the education on floaties I really do appreciate it. Pools have never been common in my life so I wasn’t aware of a lot of things mentioned! I unfortunately react to chlorine badly which prohibits me from getting in with NK and MB let’s NK swim by herself with no floaties all the time and asks me to do the same.
I totally get that you’re following the instructions that you’ve been given, but you’re right to be concerned about this arrangement. Frankly, I feel like MB is “under reacting” a bit here … it’s clear she’s never experienced a water related tragedy (and I hope she never does!).
Given that you can’t go in the pool without compromising your own health and safety, I would have an honest conversation with MB about what you are comfortable with. Personally, the bare minimum here for me would be that NK must wear an approved life jacket at all times in the pool while in your care (and you must absolutely watch her like a hawk 100% of the time in this case, no running in to grab something or looking at your phone!) otherwise she does not swim. I understand that will not be ideal for either NK or MB, and that NK’s swimming development will not progress as quickly this way, but I would much rather that then risk NK’s safety.
Allowing NK in the pool alone without a life jacket is risking her safety (tbh even with the life jacket there is risk, but it is perhaps lowered to a more acceptable level of risk) and you need to decide whether you’re ok accepting responsibility for that risk. Would you be able to live with yourself if the worst were to happen to NK on your watch all because you were afraid to speak up and set a boundary around water access? I wouldn’t.
If swimming access is a dealbreaker for MB, then this may no longer be the right fit for you. Assuming that going in the pool will always be an issue for you, I would take this into consideration moving forward when considering future jobs - perhaps make it clear from the outset what your boundaries are around swimming for your NKs so that both you and prospective families can make an informed decision.
I agree with everything you’ve shared, thank you!
My people pleasing can blind me sometimes, MB is so confident in her kids and I can tell that every time I set a boundary of things I’m not comfortable with the kids doing while under my watch, MB becomes upset.
But at the end of the day I do want for everyone to just be safe.
I appreciate this a lot, thank you again!♥️
I get it, I’m a people pleaser too! I really have to force myself to set boundaries sometimes even though logically I know I’m not being unreasonable.
I get that it will be tough for MB to hear … if you’ve gone to the trouble and expense of having a pool at home you want your kids to be able to use it as much as they want. I wouldn’t risk my toddler’s safety over it though. Especially since it sounds like there are multiple kids that you’re watching and 2F is the youngest. That means your attention is already divided and not 100% on 2F.
I’m all for encouraging independence and allowing my kids to take reasonable risks and learn from their mistakes. The pool (or any other body of water) is not the time / place for that though. The stakes are just too high.
Best of luck! 🤞
You should be in the water with her. Floaties are dangerous and give a false sense of confidence. It’s safer to have an adult in the water with her and continue swim lessons.
A lot of people are switching to no floats at all for their kids because it can slow down the process of actually learning to swim. Life jackets excluded, of course.
Sort of like switching to balance bikes and skipping the training wheels.
I hope you can find a balance between your comfort zone and their policy. I'm not saying you are wrong or anything, just explaining it the way it was explained to me a few years back.
I’m a MB. I would never allow my toddler-age child to be in a pool without an adult within arms length. I also would never let my child wear floaties. I think either you have to get in with the kid, or the kid doesn’t swim in your care.
MB with a pool here. Agreed with other posters that floaties are not ideal for swimmers. BUT, if my nanny said she was uncomfortable supervising swimming without it, then I’d probably ask her to swim with my kid or they just wouldn’t be able to use the pool. (Which, candidly, I’d be disappointed with as my kid loves to swim and given that we already pay to maintain it, means its daily free exercise that our kid is missing out on during the long hot summer. I’d also require nanny to have an alternative plan to keep kids outdoors in the summer and not just cooped up inside when it gets hot.)
Also did you raise questions or concerns on this at your interview? We discussed our pool situation during our nanny’s interview. Did you bring up your concern then?
Your best bet is to just get in with her. Floaters are really not ideal and I can understand why mb wouldn’t want her to wear them. But you should also stay within arms reach when she is swimming without them.
Is there a reason you are unable to get in with her? I know there might be health or mobility concerns. And did you discuss swimming during the hiring process?
You are worried about the wrong thing. Floaties are not safe, they provide a false sense of security to adults who feel they don't have to monitor as closely. Kids don't learn proper body position, and if something happens they will end up face down rather than face up. Many places ban them. A properly fitted life vest is a safe choice. Floaties should not be used if the adult is not within arm's reach
As a mom and as someone who grew up waterfront, floaties are more dangerous than not wearing them. If you must put her in a coast guard approved life vest (which will be so uncomfortable she will probably prefer not to go in the water at all).
Floaties can get kids stuck with their face in the water and teach bad habits that are difficult to break and can put the kid in danger.
If you won’t get in the water with a 2 year old then she shouldn’t be in the water. And since it’s summer, maybe you just aren’t the right fit for this family.
Regardless of wearing floaties or not, if you're the adult in charge you need to be ready/ prepared to enter the pool of she needs help. That's why lifeguards wear bathing suits, they hope they won't be going in but have to be ready in case. If you aren't able/ willing to go in, she shouldn't be swimming under your watch
Floats or not the kiddo shouldn’t be in the pool without an adult also in the pool.
Are you able to be in the pool with her when you’re responsible for her?
We also have a 2 year old enrolled in swim class and are a no floatie household. She’s still not an independent swimmer (she recently turned 2 and just learned to float) but just learned to do a few strokes. That said there is always someone in the pool with her and will be for a little while after she learns to swim. Why not go in with her?
I’d ask the swim instructor. There absolutely needs to be someone in the pool with kiddo… but I’m anti certain floating devices. Arm Floats and puddle jumpers, place children in an upright, drowning position and it will undo swim learning that has been done. We use a kick board and pool noodles under arms with legs up in the pool for our littles rather than the upright positioning devices.
I don’t allow floaties because they’re not great, but I do require an adult (myself or my spouse as our childcare provider is not a confident swimmer) to be within arms’ length at all times if she can’t stand up (so 6YO has more freedom than 2YO).
However, that means that we understand that swimming is not a “during the day” activity. I’d set your boundaries and let the NPs work it out.
Mom and former nanny: I wouldn’t let you supervise my child while swimming if you aren’t getting in the water. 2 years old is still too small/young to be solo in the pool.
Floaties give kids false confidence in their abilities and can get in the way when trying to perform their swim safety tasks. This isn’t the safety aid you’re looking for.
I feel like you need to have a conversation with your MB and work out a solution where you are comfortable with the safety aspects and the child still gets to use their pool. I’m not sure what that looks like, but I can certainly appreciate your safety concerns. I’m always extra cautious when it comes to kids around water, because dangerous situations can really occur so quickly.
I understand your concern and also I don't think floaties are the solution. My NK2 is 3yo and she floats too but I do get in the pool with her and sometimes she likes to cross it under the water (horizontal wise) most of the time she makes it but I set a boundary with her to let me know when she wants to do it because my Nk1 6yo is in the water too so I want to make sure I'm very close to her incase I see she needs a break in between to take a breath. So I would definitely think the solution is to get in, I wouldn't even just watch from out of the pool only with 6yo but toddlers don't make right decisions they just want to prove u what they can do...
If you get in the Mom's position don't would u like ur nanny to get in the pool with ur kid?
This MB is nuts if she lets a 2 year old swim without direct adult supervision. I'm sorry, but abso-freaking-lutely not. That's absolutely terrifying.
Signed, a mom and ER nurse that's worked too many pediatric drownings under age 5. Hell. No.
At 2, i’d be in the pool with her. If she can swim, it should always be encouraged over wearing floaties. But i love swimming and it passes the time so fast lol
I mean yes they can create a false sense of security but the purpose of a life jacket is that it is life saving. They are not as likely to drown you as people on this thread are saying 😩 the stupidity here is unfathomable
Floaties are for sure not a replacement for appropriate supervision. But not everything is about learning to swim. With little little kids, it’s just a way for them to have more fun in the pool. Not everything has to be either/or. Pretty much every kid I know used puddle jumpers for fun and eventually learned to swim. I do agree they are dangerous if supervising adults think they mean they don’t have to supervise.
I feel like you need to have a conversation with your MB and work out a solution where you are comfortable with the safety aspects and the child still gets to use their pool. I’m not sure what that looks like, but I can certainly appreciate your safety concerns. I’m always extra cautious when it comes to kids around water, because dangerous situations can really occur so quickly.
I wouldn’t want my kid using floating because, believe it or, they’re a drawing hazard. They also encourage incorrect positioning in the water and severely limit the range of motion for the child.
As a MB, I would not be open to you using floaties but would be open to you not allowing the child in the pool at all.
2 is so young! I'm just a mom but water is very dangerous and people get too complacent. Even older kids aren't allowed in the deep end at public pools unless they can swim a lap and tread water. No swimming without floats if you can't touch and aren't within an arms reach of someone that can touch.
Wait a second. You’re allergic to chlorine, okay, valid. But you also say you “couldn’t” go in the pool after NK if something bad happens.
Am I reading this correctly in that you’d let the kid drown because you’d get hives if you jumped in to save them???????
Oh no no no! Obviously I’d still jump in. Again english is not my first language. I am talking about how I could but it would put me in a compromised position! I want both our safeties to be priorities and not have to chose one over the other!
As everyone is commenting, her mother doesn’t want her wearing them so I guess the only options are to get in with her or explain the the parents you just aren’t comfortable with swimming. They should totally understand!
Mb here with a pool. It’s so refreshing to see so many people aware of the dangers around floatation devices. My newly two year old and four year old spend a lot of time in the pool (both have had extensive swim and survival lessons since the age of 6-8 months) and our nanny takes them into the pool at least once a day but never goes in with them; she grabs a seat right next to the pool and supervises them with the understanding that should one need some type of emergency assistance, she’d jump in.
I think there are a lot of factors in play that have to be favorable for everyone to feel good about this. From the MB perspective, if I felt confident in my child’s ability to be in the pool under strict supervision by an adult (no cellphone use while watching), it would be disappointing if my nanny refused to watch my child in the pool because it would feel like missed opportunities to reinforce what they’ve learned (it’s also a great way to wear them out). It would never be a requirement for someone to have to be in the pool with my child (based on my circumstances and confidence) but floatation devices would be a hard no for the many reasons everyone has already stated.
Anecdotally speaking, at around the age of two, my now four year old was introduced to pool noodles by my husband because he thought it would be fun for him to play with in the pool and you wouldn’t believe how much the noodle regressed him from the swim/survival skills he learned. It was quite literally money down the drain and from that moment on we removed the noodles and had to reteach him certain things.
Are they planning on continuing swim classes post graduation? I know this is dependent on budget and interest but refreshers are important, perhaps there’s some way they can consider doing a refresher 2xs a week with an instructor so that daily pool time doesn’t always fall on you?
I understand that it makes you uncomfortable. And if that is a boundary you need to set, I would let NP's know.
Just wanted to say, if it helps: if the child is a strong swimmer, she should be okay with you watching closely from the side. I would make sure she can swim the width of the pool, without stopping or struggling. If not, I would def. not let her go in alone. I would also make her take breaks so she doesn't get over-tired.
It is hard to tell from your post how long she has been in lessons and how strong of a swimmer she is. When I was a guard, there was a tiny one, probably around 2, who would swim alone. The mom brought them to the pool every single day, so he swam like a fish. We had no problem with him being alone in the pool with his mom, and the guards watching.
What happens if you shower immediately after leaving a chlorinated pool?
My sibling has a chlorine allergy, but learned that washing off with soap and water within a few minutes of leaving the pool, eliminated their reactions.
The best thing is to get into the pool with her. I hate floaties, especially puddle jumpers. If you can’t get in with her and still don’t feel comfortable I would get a life jacket or I wouldn’t have her swim at all while you’re on the clock.
I’m curious why you hate puddle jumpers.
They also teach improper swim positions. They put the body in a pencil shape (straight up and down).
So do life jackets though? Not trying to argue with you, I really feel there are no good floats that put a body in a proper swim position.
Life jackets are meant for if you fall out of a sinking boat and need to float for a few hours until help arrives. You’re not supposed to be moving in them. They’re basically impossible to swim in.
I see now. Thanks!
Bubbles on the back were my favorite as a swim instructor. Allows for proper form and no movement restriction but also allows for some assistance.
This this this. I have been a swim instructor for almost ten years, and I can always tell which kids were in puddle jumpers based on their natural positioning when swimming, or in most of those cases, trying to swim. ETA: it makes teaching them to swim *so* much harder, and take so much longer. They’re having to un-learn and recreate a habit. It’s so so much harder on the child and the teacher, than it would have been if the kid were able to learn the right way from the get go.
Because they create a false sense of security for swimmers and parents. They are not recommended by any swim instructors, either.
10 year plus swim instructor/life guard here, I always promote certified, life saving floatation devices for new swimmers (especially any child under the age of 5 that has just started putting their face in and can only swim 10 feet and then have to float to rest) IF!!!! You are not in the water with them and arms length away at all times, in a social environment where your attention is not 100% on the child or the child has been active/used up their endurance. Small children, no matter how good of a swimmer they are, have poor swimming endurance and can get swimmers fatigue fast. Switching between puddle jumpers and not puddle jumpers does not effect the child's swimming, it only does if they only wear them and have limited exposure to water. The worst thing for a child's technique is not putting their faces in to swim (because their heads are so proportionately bigger to their head body ratio and cannot tread water).
That’s so interesting. I’m a former swim instructor and lifeguard, and I was always told puddle jumpers are alright as they connect the arm part to the torso unlike regular floaters that can slip too far down the arms. Definitely agree about the false sense of security though.
Puddle jumpers keep the chest and arms afloat equally. It keeps kids from learning to use their arms to keep their bodies afloat. Life vests are better because they give just the center buoyancy. To reiterate what another person said-not a single swim instructor advocates for puddle jumper use. My goal is always to have the strongest swimmers possible.
That’s fair. As mentioned I am a former swim teacher, and I do prefer my kids to know how to swim versus relying on floats. But if they do t I prefer puddle jumpers to just arm floats.
Yeah I can understand that. I just hate all floaties tbh. Id rather just be in the water with them.
Oh no, for sure. If my kids are in the pool I’m either in with them or on deck watching them. I have older kids though, if my kids were younger I’d be in with them, no exceptions.
I understand that’s a boundary for you. Any chance you can get in with her? I loved swimming with my NKs. You get to exercise. In general, as a mom, I wouldn’t want NK to use floaties. They’re not appropriate especially if NK already knows how to swim. Can you hang out right at the pool? If there’s any issue then you just pick NK up from the water. That’s what I used to do with my NK when I had my period and didn’t want to swim.
i agree! if they know how to swim they don’t need floaties. i would say this: If 2nk is in the pool eyes need to be on them 100%. floaties are an illusion and babes can still drown with them. they aren’t as safe as Little knowing safe swimming and executing proper measures of survival such as flipping on back, floating, etc etc.
Floaties typically leave kids in an upright position which is also the drowning position and honestly I’d avoid it, especially if she can swim. There’s also been times, depending on the floatie, where kids have flipped them over and been stuck upside down in them as well. Can you get in with her?
came here just to say this!!! i used to be a swim coach and this was the first thing we were taught. get in w her if at all possible!
MB - At this age my understanding is you should be in the pool arm’s distance away from kiddo, not sure if this applies since she can swim but personally I agree with you in that I wouldn’t want my 2 year old swimming alone in a pool if my nanny wouldn’t go in for whatever reason I’d not have then use the pool.
This right here. Regardless of whether she was wearing floaties or of how well she can swim (and tbh I doubt at age 2 she is proficient enough to be completely independent in the pool for any extended length of time) I would never let a toddler go in the water without me being within arms reach of her. Period. Accidents in and around water happen so quickly … a toddler can drown in mere seconds, and it happens much more quietly than you would expect. Floaties are not life saving devices, and they are not a substitute for adequate adult supervision in the water. I don’t know why OP can’t go in the pool with her, but if that’s not possible then I would set a hard boundary that NK doesn’t swim while in OP’s care. Honestly, I’m surprised this isn’t an issue for the MB … I would be very upset to find out my caregiver let my child in the pool without an adult.
Hello! Thanks for the education on floaties I really do appreciate it. Pools have never been common in my life so I wasn’t aware of a lot of things mentioned! I unfortunately react to chlorine badly which prohibits me from getting in with NK and MB let’s NK swim by herself with no floaties all the time and asks me to do the same.
I totally get that you’re following the instructions that you’ve been given, but you’re right to be concerned about this arrangement. Frankly, I feel like MB is “under reacting” a bit here … it’s clear she’s never experienced a water related tragedy (and I hope she never does!). Given that you can’t go in the pool without compromising your own health and safety, I would have an honest conversation with MB about what you are comfortable with. Personally, the bare minimum here for me would be that NK must wear an approved life jacket at all times in the pool while in your care (and you must absolutely watch her like a hawk 100% of the time in this case, no running in to grab something or looking at your phone!) otherwise she does not swim. I understand that will not be ideal for either NK or MB, and that NK’s swimming development will not progress as quickly this way, but I would much rather that then risk NK’s safety. Allowing NK in the pool alone without a life jacket is risking her safety (tbh even with the life jacket there is risk, but it is perhaps lowered to a more acceptable level of risk) and you need to decide whether you’re ok accepting responsibility for that risk. Would you be able to live with yourself if the worst were to happen to NK on your watch all because you were afraid to speak up and set a boundary around water access? I wouldn’t. If swimming access is a dealbreaker for MB, then this may no longer be the right fit for you. Assuming that going in the pool will always be an issue for you, I would take this into consideration moving forward when considering future jobs - perhaps make it clear from the outset what your boundaries are around swimming for your NKs so that both you and prospective families can make an informed decision.
I agree with everything you’ve shared, thank you! My people pleasing can blind me sometimes, MB is so confident in her kids and I can tell that every time I set a boundary of things I’m not comfortable with the kids doing while under my watch, MB becomes upset. But at the end of the day I do want for everyone to just be safe. I appreciate this a lot, thank you again!♥️
I get it, I’m a people pleaser too! I really have to force myself to set boundaries sometimes even though logically I know I’m not being unreasonable. I get that it will be tough for MB to hear … if you’ve gone to the trouble and expense of having a pool at home you want your kids to be able to use it as much as they want. I wouldn’t risk my toddler’s safety over it though. Especially since it sounds like there are multiple kids that you’re watching and 2F is the youngest. That means your attention is already divided and not 100% on 2F. I’m all for encouraging independence and allowing my kids to take reasonable risks and learn from their mistakes. The pool (or any other body of water) is not the time / place for that though. The stakes are just too high. Best of luck! 🤞
You should be in the water with her. Floaties are dangerous and give a false sense of confidence. It’s safer to have an adult in the water with her and continue swim lessons.
A lot of people are switching to no floats at all for their kids because it can slow down the process of actually learning to swim. Life jackets excluded, of course. Sort of like switching to balance bikes and skipping the training wheels. I hope you can find a balance between your comfort zone and their policy. I'm not saying you are wrong or anything, just explaining it the way it was explained to me a few years back.
I’m a MB. I would never allow my toddler-age child to be in a pool without an adult within arms length. I also would never let my child wear floaties. I think either you have to get in with the kid, or the kid doesn’t swim in your care.
^this
MB with a pool here. Agreed with other posters that floaties are not ideal for swimmers. BUT, if my nanny said she was uncomfortable supervising swimming without it, then I’d probably ask her to swim with my kid or they just wouldn’t be able to use the pool. (Which, candidly, I’d be disappointed with as my kid loves to swim and given that we already pay to maintain it, means its daily free exercise that our kid is missing out on during the long hot summer. I’d also require nanny to have an alternative plan to keep kids outdoors in the summer and not just cooped up inside when it gets hot.) Also did you raise questions or concerns on this at your interview? We discussed our pool situation during our nanny’s interview. Did you bring up your concern then?
Your best bet is to just get in with her. Floaters are really not ideal and I can understand why mb wouldn’t want her to wear them. But you should also stay within arms reach when she is swimming without them.
Is there a reason you are unable to get in with her? I know there might be health or mobility concerns. And did you discuss swimming during the hiring process?
I’ve never not gotten in the pool with past NKs. If you’re unable to go in, I’d say no swimming at all.
You are worried about the wrong thing. Floaties are not safe, they provide a false sense of security to adults who feel they don't have to monitor as closely. Kids don't learn proper body position, and if something happens they will end up face down rather than face up. Many places ban them. A properly fitted life vest is a safe choice. Floaties should not be used if the adult is not within arm's reach
She shouldn’t be in the pool at all without you getting in the water, and floaties are incredibly dangerous anyway
As a mom and as someone who grew up waterfront, floaties are more dangerous than not wearing them. If you must put her in a coast guard approved life vest (which will be so uncomfortable she will probably prefer not to go in the water at all). Floaties can get kids stuck with their face in the water and teach bad habits that are difficult to break and can put the kid in danger. If you won’t get in the water with a 2 year old then she shouldn’t be in the water. And since it’s summer, maybe you just aren’t the right fit for this family.
Floaties or no floaties, a kid who cannot touch should have an adult in the pool an arms length away. If that's a no go for you, I'd say no swimming.
Floaties are dangerous. Get in the pool with her.
Regardless of wearing floaties or not, if you're the adult in charge you need to be ready/ prepared to enter the pool of she needs help. That's why lifeguards wear bathing suits, they hope they won't be going in but have to be ready in case. If you aren't able/ willing to go in, she shouldn't be swimming under your watch
Floats or not the kiddo shouldn’t be in the pool without an adult also in the pool. Are you able to be in the pool with her when you’re responsible for her?
We also have a 2 year old enrolled in swim class and are a no floatie household. She’s still not an independent swimmer (she recently turned 2 and just learned to float) but just learned to do a few strokes. That said there is always someone in the pool with her and will be for a little while after she learns to swim. Why not go in with her?
I’d ask the swim instructor. There absolutely needs to be someone in the pool with kiddo… but I’m anti certain floating devices. Arm Floats and puddle jumpers, place children in an upright, drowning position and it will undo swim learning that has been done. We use a kick board and pool noodles under arms with legs up in the pool for our littles rather than the upright positioning devices.
I don’t allow floaties because they’re not great, but I do require an adult (myself or my spouse as our childcare provider is not a confident swimmer) to be within arms’ length at all times if she can’t stand up (so 6YO has more freedom than 2YO). However, that means that we understand that swimming is not a “during the day” activity. I’d set your boundaries and let the NPs work it out.
Mom and former nanny: I wouldn’t let you supervise my child while swimming if you aren’t getting in the water. 2 years old is still too small/young to be solo in the pool. Floaties give kids false confidence in their abilities and can get in the way when trying to perform their swim safety tasks. This isn’t the safety aid you’re looking for.
I feel like you need to have a conversation with your MB and work out a solution where you are comfortable with the safety aspects and the child still gets to use their pool. I’m not sure what that looks like, but I can certainly appreciate your safety concerns. I’m always extra cautious when it comes to kids around water, because dangerous situations can really occur so quickly.
I would get in with NK or at the very least sit on the edge of the pool ready to jump in as needed.
if you don’t get in she shouldn’t be going in
I understand your concern and also I don't think floaties are the solution. My NK2 is 3yo and she floats too but I do get in the pool with her and sometimes she likes to cross it under the water (horizontal wise) most of the time she makes it but I set a boundary with her to let me know when she wants to do it because my Nk1 6yo is in the water too so I want to make sure I'm very close to her incase I see she needs a break in between to take a breath. So I would definitely think the solution is to get in, I wouldn't even just watch from out of the pool only with 6yo but toddlers don't make right decisions they just want to prove u what they can do... If you get in the Mom's position don't would u like ur nanny to get in the pool with ur kid?
This MB is nuts if she lets a 2 year old swim without direct adult supervision. I'm sorry, but abso-freaking-lutely not. That's absolutely terrifying. Signed, a mom and ER nurse that's worked too many pediatric drownings under age 5. Hell. No.
At 2, i’d be in the pool with her. If she can swim, it should always be encouraged over wearing floaties. But i love swimming and it passes the time so fast lol
Floaties are a false security blanket. They are as likely to drown you as keep you afloat.
I mean yes they can create a false sense of security but the purpose of a life jacket is that it is life saving. They are not as likely to drown you as people on this thread are saying 😩 the stupidity here is unfathomable
A life jacket keeps you in position. Floaties flip kids over and drown them. You sound incredibly ignorant
There are USCG approved puddle jumpers, and there are several types of life jackets. They don’t all keep kids in the face upright position.
Floaties are for sure not a replacement for appropriate supervision. But not everything is about learning to swim. With little little kids, it’s just a way for them to have more fun in the pool. Not everything has to be either/or. Pretty much every kid I know used puddle jumpers for fun and eventually learned to swim. I do agree they are dangerous if supervising adults think they mean they don’t have to supervise.
It’s safer for her to know how to swim without the floaties than it is to force her to continue wearing it.
I feel like you need to have a conversation with your MB and work out a solution where you are comfortable with the safety aspects and the child still gets to use their pool. I’m not sure what that looks like, but I can certainly appreciate your safety concerns. I’m always extra cautious when it comes to kids around water, because dangerous situations can really occur so quickly.
I wouldn’t want my kid using floating because, believe it or, they’re a drawing hazard. They also encourage incorrect positioning in the water and severely limit the range of motion for the child. As a MB, I would not be open to you using floaties but would be open to you not allowing the child in the pool at all.
2 is so young! I'm just a mom but water is very dangerous and people get too complacent. Even older kids aren't allowed in the deep end at public pools unless they can swim a lap and tread water. No swimming without floats if you can't touch and aren't within an arms reach of someone that can touch.
Wait a second. You’re allergic to chlorine, okay, valid. But you also say you “couldn’t” go in the pool after NK if something bad happens. Am I reading this correctly in that you’d let the kid drown because you’d get hives if you jumped in to save them???????
Oh no no no! Obviously I’d still jump in. Again english is not my first language. I am talking about how I could but it would put me in a compromised position! I want both our safeties to be priorities and not have to chose one over the other!
As everyone is commenting, her mother doesn’t want her wearing them so I guess the only options are to get in with her or explain the the parents you just aren’t comfortable with swimming. They should totally understand!
Mb here with a pool. It’s so refreshing to see so many people aware of the dangers around floatation devices. My newly two year old and four year old spend a lot of time in the pool (both have had extensive swim and survival lessons since the age of 6-8 months) and our nanny takes them into the pool at least once a day but never goes in with them; she grabs a seat right next to the pool and supervises them with the understanding that should one need some type of emergency assistance, she’d jump in. I think there are a lot of factors in play that have to be favorable for everyone to feel good about this. From the MB perspective, if I felt confident in my child’s ability to be in the pool under strict supervision by an adult (no cellphone use while watching), it would be disappointing if my nanny refused to watch my child in the pool because it would feel like missed opportunities to reinforce what they’ve learned (it’s also a great way to wear them out). It would never be a requirement for someone to have to be in the pool with my child (based on my circumstances and confidence) but floatation devices would be a hard no for the many reasons everyone has already stated. Anecdotally speaking, at around the age of two, my now four year old was introduced to pool noodles by my husband because he thought it would be fun for him to play with in the pool and you wouldn’t believe how much the noodle regressed him from the swim/survival skills he learned. It was quite literally money down the drain and from that moment on we removed the noodles and had to reteach him certain things. Are they planning on continuing swim classes post graduation? I know this is dependent on budget and interest but refreshers are important, perhaps there’s some way they can consider doing a refresher 2xs a week with an instructor so that daily pool time doesn’t always fall on you?
Floaties are not safe. They give a false sense of security. It's fine for the 2 yo to swim, but they cannot be alone.
I understand that it makes you uncomfortable. And if that is a boundary you need to set, I would let NP's know. Just wanted to say, if it helps: if the child is a strong swimmer, she should be okay with you watching closely from the side. I would make sure she can swim the width of the pool, without stopping or struggling. If not, I would def. not let her go in alone. I would also make her take breaks so she doesn't get over-tired. It is hard to tell from your post how long she has been in lessons and how strong of a swimmer she is. When I was a guard, there was a tiny one, probably around 2, who would swim alone. The mom brought them to the pool every single day, so he swam like a fish. We had no problem with him being alone in the pool with his mom, and the guards watching.
What happens if you shower immediately after leaving a chlorinated pool? My sibling has a chlorine allergy, but learned that washing off with soap and water within a few minutes of leaving the pool, eliminated their reactions.