Is this rude or unreasonable?

We have a 4ft above ground pool. So you can imagine on hot days like this, our yard is popular. Well, 2 of my neighbor's kids are currently taking swimming lessons at the Y, but I'm not impressed w/ their progress at all! The oldest can touch, but both wear life jackets. I've made it quite clear, that they can come down w/ a parent when I'm home alone, since I am not comfortable being the lone adult "life guard". Well, that doesn't seem to happen. So today, since my husb. is out, I told the kids yet AGAIN- if 1 of the parents wants to come down to help watch them, that's fine. Otherwise, they can come over once my husb is home. The other kids who CAN swim, should not be made to wait, b/c those kids' parents won't get off their butts & help watch their non-swimming kids!!! Ugh!

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Asked by mrsmom110 at 2:31 PM on Jul. 1, 2012 in General Parenting

162004 Level 43

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I would stop letting my pool be used as the community swim center. So no, it's not rude or unreasonable for you to expect the parents to watch their own children, even if you are being nice enough to let the neighbors use your pool.

Answer by KristiS11384 at 2:34 PM on Jul. 1, 2012
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How old are these children? Because there's no way I'd even let children under 9 or 10 in my pool without parent watching.

Answer by 3libras at 2:40 PM on Jul. 1, 2012
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what KristiS11384 said ^^

seriously. i would not want to be THAT responsible for someone else's child's safety <

Answer by feralxat at 2:40 PM on Jul. 1, 2012
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I wouldnt let any children use it without their parents, lock it up. or have a printed schedule for all of them, with the times they are allowed to use it, when your husband is home.
Remember, legally, you are responsible for them if thry are in your pool. So if something should happen, YOU would be in trouble, not their parents, regardless if you are home or not. Your property, your responsibility. My father is a lawyer, and I just asked him. So i would be really careful.

Answer by Mme.Langley at 2:48 PM on Jul. 1, 2012
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rude??ur nice enough allowing other's kids use ur pool.
if those kids's parents want their kids to face something terrible.ask them to visit a beach.

Answer by charakhan at 2:50 PM on Jul. 1, 2012
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Even if the other kids CAN swim you are still the only "lifeguard".... as an actual Lifeguard I'd say the rule of needing a second set of adult eyes there with you is a good one.... even if ALL the kids are "swimmers". There is nothing wrong with having back up... it's not easy dealing with an emergency or incident alone. It's your house... you make the rules!

Have you taken a water safety class?? It's highly recommended for any one (child and adult alike) with a pool on their property.

Answer by Crafty26 at 2:53 PM on Jul. 1, 2012
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That's is precisely why I got rid of the pool when the kids were little. NO one watched their kids and I didn't want to be responsible.

Answer by m-avi at 2:57 PM on Jul. 1, 2012
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Not at all rude. I have an inflatable pool that is barely 3 feet deep and I won't let neighbor kids in it. Aside from the fact I don't want them to get overzealous and collapse the thing, I just don't want to be that responsible for someone's child.

Answer by Izsarejman at 3:00 PM on Jul. 1, 2012
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I would NEVER let my child go to a neighbors pool un-invited, and if they couldn't even swim?! Let them go alone?! No. Not at all.

Answer by staciandababy at 3:01 PM on Jul. 1, 2012
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Have you taken a water safety class?? It's highly recommended for any one (child and adult alike) with a pool on their property. Answer by Crafty26 8 minutes ago

I am a certified CPR instructor. But just b/c I know how to do that, doesn't mean I want to actually do it! This just gets on my nerves. Thanks for the back-up ladies. I didn't think I was asking too much here!

Comment by mrsmom110 (original poster) at 3:04 PM on Jul. 1, 2012
Credits: 162004 Level 43 General Parenting Major