Problem solve the pool locker room

mstavish79

DS started swimming classes last week and he LOVED it.  Hubby and I were in the pool with him and it was a fun family event.  I really think my husband had the most fun, which is just very cute.  Anyway, I didn't problem solve going in to it other than needing a swim diaper etc.  I was definetly met with lots of challenges with changing him in the locker room after the class was over.  He wanted to crawl all over the placed and typical of any 13 month old wouldn't sit still while I was getting out of my bathing suit.  I wanted to shower both of us but clearly that wasn't happening so we just dried off and got changed.  Thankfully a random lady helped entertain him while I got dressed but getting him dressed was another story.  It was honestly a work out and I felt like a total mess. 

 So this week I was thinking of just buying an umbrella stroller that I can strap him in while I get dressed and then get him ready. While we are in class I can easily fold up the stroller and stick it in the locker.  I have no idea how I would shower the two of us off though.  We are not going to go right home after class like we did last week.  Also any suggestions as to how I would make getting him dressed and his clothes not wet would be helpful. Thanks.

2vthokies

We did swim lessons when DD was 6 months old.  The pool we went to had a 'family' locker room.  It was only three stalls (with showers) and there was always a line, but it was worth it to us to wait.  That way all three of use could change at the same time.  Does your pool have that?  Another suggestion is for you to get ready while your DH watches/changes him and then your DH can hand him off to you while he changes.  It would take longer, but it might be easier than having to do all of it yourself (even with a stroller).

Artslvr

That's what I was going to say - it's a big advantage that you have both you and DH there.  One of you can get ready/change while the other entertains DC in the hallway.

If you're alone, the stroller idea is not a bad one.  Or just make your changing super easy.  Wear your suit to the pool so you don't have the change before class, and bring super easy outfits to change into after. 

tracy042206

We swapped out too.  DH would change while I got Maggie dressed, then I would hand her off to him in the hall while I dressed.

Mrs.Ram

I was also faced with challenges after our first class Saturday (maybe we're in the same class?), not the least of which being that I completely forgot to bring clothes for DD to wear home. Yes, she went home naked covered in a blanket and a dry towel.

I stood in the shower with her while I held her, but we really just rinsed; there was no soap involved. Will that suffice for you this week?

I was able to strap DD into her car seat, which I had left in the lifeguards room during the class, while I got change, so that was good for me. DD is much younter than your DS, though. Our friends with a son about the same age as yours does the hand-off - she changes him, then takes him out to her husband while she changes herself.

I might try the family locker room this weekend; I've never been in and am not exactly sure how it works, but it would be much easier.

Sofka

for the times when you won't have to take a shower, I would just change and dress DS right there next to the pool and then hand him off to your DH while you shower/change. If your DH is not with you, dry and change him 1st, and let him sit on the floor (or in the stroller) while you change (you won't be able to shower though)

 

mek10976

Your umbrella stroller idea is exactly what my friend did.  I am thinking of doing that too since we start swim class in May.  I know Target has a mesh-looking one (dries well) for $20.  Another friend of mine just made a mad dash for the family changing room and she said there was alot more space to work with.  But I don't know if every pool has those rooms.

wbl

When I took DD to the pool at that age, here's how I did it - 

If we took a shower together.  I held onto her while I took off our suits in the shower, and got us both bathed.  Towel on her first, me next. 

If we didn't shower (or post-shower) I sat on a towel on a bench and put her on my lap and took off her swimsuit and swim diaper.  I put her in a dry diaper and kept her mostly on my lap while I peeled off my swim suit and put on underwear.  Then I put her dry clothes on and let her play with a toy on a towel on the floor between my legs while I threw my clothes on.  She was always trying to squirm away, so it was difficult at first.  But the more we did it, the better we both did at it.  

Good luck!  Swimming with the kiddos is fun! 

mstavish79

Thanks so much for all the helpful ideas.  It's the Mt Vernon Rec center and they do have a family changing room. I just felt bad using it with all the babies and families there but I guess that's what it is for right?  I think I will have us do it that way this week and see how it goes. 

jacks24

I shower straight after class, and I take DD's suit off in teh shower, leaving mine on.  I just rinse off as best as I can with it on.  THat way I am not worried about being modest while I am more worried about managing DD.  I have 3 towels for DD.  One is used to dry off after the shower.  One is to lay down on the changing table or locker room bench or the floor or whereever she is sitting.  The third is an extra to dry her off with, or sometimes I'll just use her bathrobe/swim cover up thing for her to sit in and dry off.  I get dressed a little bit at a time, while also getting her dressed.  She will sit still in short increments, long enough for me to put my shirt on.  Then I get her shirt on and then my pants while she sits...

 I think the umbrella stroller and family changing areas are both great ideas too.

garden123

This post just reminds me of what I imagine goes on when my H tries to change, wash, shower, dress himself and DS in the locker room. DS is quite resistant to diaper changes and getting dressed normally (to put it mildly - he acts like we are torturing him), so I imagine my poor H chasing after him, but he says so far its not been bad.  LOL