So my neighbors have an in-ground swimming pool and are having people
over for a BBQ. I went outside to do stuff in our yard, and came
outside to hear her child screaming, crying and pleading for help since
he was in the pool and absolutely TERRIFIED of the water. She was
holding him and he begged to be let out. I'd say he was about 3 or 4
years old -- and it went on for 10 minutes or so.
They group of them were saying stuff like, "you'll be fine; grandpa used to just throw us in the the deep end and have us to learn to swim that way, you have to learn how to swim some day..."
These are neighbors I've had issues with in the past, so I was afraid to say something because they are totally confrontational. I came into the house totally upset, and my husband went out there to observe. The kid is out of the water now, but I don't know if intervening is something we should do or not.
Re: WWYD? The most upsetting thing I've seen in a long time.
Eta: I would also be upset.
Like I said, I didn't say or do anything. I just really felt for the kid. My Mom has a massive water/swimming phobia (and I who doesn't have a phobia of their own?) so by prolonging his agony and belittling him like they did by saying thing like, "we could just throw you in like Grandpa did to us" was very upsetting to me.
Our city pools offer a class for terrified swimmers of all ages, so I considered suggesting this. But my gut told me to stay out of it. Thanks for your replies.
There is absolutely nothing the police could do. Or they would send CPS over and those people would seriously make you life hell. I know this is out of concern but it's a case of MYOB
Pretty much my thoughts. They really need to learn how to swim if they have a pool in their yard, and it is no surprise that they would be screaming if it was one of their first times in it.