Parenting

How would you feel about this?

You're at a pool, your 3.5 son asks to jump in, but is afraid to once he's standing on the edge. He's used to jumping in and usually likes water. Mom is waiting in the pool to catch him, and Dad thinks he's being a baby about it so pushes him in. Mom catches him, but the son is scared and very upset.

Re: How would you feel about this?

  • I think it's a good way to make the kid scared of the water for good.  I just don't think it's necessary.  Wouldn't he jump once he felt comfortable?
  • imageTracy1011:
    I think it's a good way to make the kid scared of the water for good.  I just don't think it's necessary.  Wouldn't he jump once he felt comfortable?

    ditto

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  • I would be pissed at my DH for pushing him.  If he wanted to jump in he would have on his own.
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  • I think the dad is an ass at best.
  • I think the dad used poor judgement and I think the 3.5 year old may now be scared of the water.

  • Dad would dealing with one angry, livid Mom.  I also agree with the poster who suggested it might cause the child to develop a lifelong fear of the water.
  • This is why I'm not a good swimmer now because when I was little I was forced into the pool and scared to death of water.  I'd be pissed.
  • I'd feel like Dad is a _dick.
  • I would be pretty f'ing pissed at dad.
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  • I'd say dad made an error in judgement and needs to work with 3.5 yo to get over what could now be a huge fear.
  • imageBrainySmurfette:
    Dad would dealing with one angry, livid Mom.? I also agree with the poster who suggested it might cause the child to develop a lifelong fear of the water.

    ?

    This exactly.

    ?

    I also have a problem with calling your child a "chicken." ?We went to a birthday party for one of DH's old HS friends' daughter. DH's friend has issues, but DH tries to be supportive of him, etc. He got his daughter a water slide and she was scared of it (just turned 3).

    He started calling her a chicken. I was livid and it wasn't even my child.

    I'm pretty sure my DH knows better. ?

  • honestly, it's not a big deal. I would be a bit upset at DH but your 3.5 year old will get over it!
  • Well we've been in this exact scenario.  We were at my mom's pool and dd wanted to jump in but kept getting scared.  She's jumped in many times before and loves the water so I got out, dh stood in front of her and I gave her a boost.  In she went.  She didn't get upset though, she liked it.  I'm sure the dad wouldn't have pushed him in if he thought he'd get upset. 
  • This kind of behavior is why my sister and I both have a fear of water. Our stepfather started out by pushing us in the pool becasue we were scared to go in. As we got older he would toss us in and then once we were in the water he would dive under and pull on our feet so we'd be forced under the water.

    Not fun. And to this day I will not let m children go near water with my stepfather (their grandfather obvisouly). He doesn't get it and thinks I'm crazy but I really don't care what he thinks about it.  

    DD born 2007 & DS born 2008
  • If DH was apologetic as soon as he saw DS was upset then no big deal.  We all make mistakes.  If he was apologetic then I'd be pissed off.
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  • I would be furious not only because of it upsetting DS but because I feel like it also sends the message that it's ok to push people in, and I'd be afraid that it would next be DS pushing someone else who is not expecting it (and doesn't have someone to catch them) into the pool. 
  • I would be bummed...I feel like somewhere along the lines, this has happened to most people, though...I mean..I don't know. I would be mad, but I would not file for divorce or declare him a monster...

    The kid might need a little extra attention as far as water safety and fears go, though..

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