Should I get my kids flotation devices?

Million$$Baby · June 2011

Our new development has 4 pools, and one is close enough to walk to, so I know we'll be going there often this summer, especially because Lily LOVES the water. I don't have any kind of flotation device for them, and I wasn't planning on buying them any. Joe and I will always be with them, and I wouldn't dare try to take them by myself. But we were at the playground next to the pool this evening and I noticed that almost all the kids had on some type of flotation device, so now I'm wondering if it's stupid of me not to get them. My concern is that the flotation devices make them think they can just jump in the water any old time they want, floatiation device or not, and that worries me a little. I saw it happen a LOT when I lifeguarded. I want them to respect the water, if that doesn't sound too lame, but I also want them to be safe.

dusk42 · June 2011

I was one of the kids who jumped in the water and forgot the floats. I remember how scary it was to go under and hit the bottom and have to claw my way back up. And at least four adults were right there. I don't plan to buy any for DD. At some point, I'll get her a kickboard, but that's it.

browneyedgrl4282 · June 2011

We have lifejacket type things for our kids to use out by our pool!

charmcitygirl · June 2011

I've been debating the same thing for Jacob. I'll be interested in the responses.

KYRN · June 2011

We have a pool. DS wears a puddle jumper, because he's really too big to just want to be held in the water. He can basically swim around on his own with it on. We do make sure we take it off every so often so he knows that he can't swim without it. And we always discuss how you can't get in the pool with out mommy and you never stand near the edge.

MonkeysGirl05 · June 2011

I think I would. You don't have to use them all the time, and they will be nice to have.

DavezWife · June 2011

Million$$Baby:

the flotation devices make them think they can just jump in the water any old time they want.

This. "They" say that kids need to learn how to float/paddle on their own, get to the side if they fall in, and not be reliant on floaties. I'm personally very against them. If it means Ava spends another summer on the edge, or with me RIGHT in there with her, so be it. We've got a "goal" to learn how to dunk and paddle more this summer, but I let her go at her own pace. I want her to love the water, and it does take time for them to feel comfortable with that.

laura&dan05 · June 2011

dusk42:
I was one of the kids who jumped in the water and forgot the floats. I remember how scary it was to go under and hit the bottom and have to claw my way back up. And at least four adults were right there. I don't plan to buy any for DD. At some point, I'll get her a kickboard, but that's it.

Yep, me too. I jumped in without my "floaties," thankfully there were adults around. It was so scary I remember it vividly and I was only 2.5 years old.

We also have a neighborhood pool. We don't use any flotation device for dd for the reasons you mentioned and she's been in swim lessons since she was 6 months old. We want her to learn how to swim and respect the water without being dependent on any type of float device.

GuitaristsGirl · June 2011

We've been talking about this so much lately. DH and I were both raised without floatation devices and are not fans of them for the reasons you describe.

But, we've gone to a local YMCA pool a few times lately, and *all* the kids seem to have on puddle jumpers. They might even rent them there or something it seems because so many look the same. And they're required to go down the tiny little kiddie slides. . . . it's really caused me pause, because I figure the Y knows what they're doing, from a safety standpoint.

All that said, I appreciate the responses to this post. Makes me feel like I'm not a horrible parent/ the only one not doing it if we don't get flotation devices.

dusk42 · June 2011

GuitaristsGirl:
And they're required to go down the tiny little kiddie slides. . . . it's really caused me pause, because I figure the Y knows what they're doing, from a safety standpoint.

I can understand for the slides because they probably don't want the kids to go under when they hit the water and inhale water. Ditto for water parks.

mrsolsenk12 · June 2011

We have a puddle jumper mainly for use at waterparks and our lke. We live on 3 acres and have a community lake (ourhouse is on the lake). He will of course learn to swim (starting at age 3) due to that but keeping him safe at the lake is important this year. He knows he can't go near thr lake without mommy and daddy. Unlike a pool, the 8 acre lake doesn't have a fence.

sasa625 · June 2011

We didn't use anything for DD last year... we just held her. We will most likely be going swimming at my grandparents' pool and there will usually be at least 4 adults around (plus my 2 older cousins) to hold her. My cousin did have a bathing suit with removable styrofoam tubes. You were supposed to take them out slowly to help teach them to swim. My grandmother swears this is the reason my cousin learned how to swim by 2.5-3 years old. I think it may have helped, but she is also a natural at whatever she tries so it may have just been her. They are insisting on finding one for DD but haven't so far, which is ok with me.

My brother jumped in our pool when he was about 3. I had to get him out because all of the adults were on the other end. It was super scary even though he was only under for a few seconds. He usually wore a flotation swim suit but refused to put it on that day and then decided he wanted to swim after all. I want DD to know that she has to have a grown up in the pool with her at all times!!

brideinOC · June 2011

First, we've had Claire in swim lessons to familiarize her with water even though we take her swimming frequently. She had her first lessons at 8 months. By no means do we trust her around water, but that was one of the first things we did. We do use a floatation device. It's firm foam, wraps around her torso and buckles around back and has floats around her arms. We NEVER leave her side, but it does give her some freedom. Claire is the type that if she doesn't wear something, she'll NEVER want to wear something. With her wearing this EVERYTIME, she knows no other way. Claire is starting her third set of swim lessons later this summer.

brideinOC · June 2011

Oh, and I'm referring to swimming in a "big" pool. We have no kiddie pools around.

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