At what age do/did you allow your child to swim in your pool unsupervised?

Question

My daughter is 11 years old and is an extremely strong swimmer. She has been swimming without assistance since she was four years old. We have a very large in ground pool with a 3.5 foot shallow end and and 8 foot deep end. My daughter is extremely responsible and she has been fully trained on lifesaving and drown proofing. I don't feel comfortable letting her swim alone yet, but I'd like to be ready with an answer should she ask. How old should I tell her she has to be?

Answer 1

9 months

Answer 2

Even Though She May Be A Very Strong And Capable Swimmer It's Never Smart To Leave A Child Alone In A Swimming Pool Without Someone Watching Her, Anything Could Happen. But, If You Really Insist On Letting Her Swim Alone I Would Wait Till She's Around 14 or 15.

Answer 3

if you are home, in the house and can peek out the window, i don't see anything wrong with it now.

if you are gone, i wouldn't let her do it till mabey 14.

if friends are there, or brothers or sisters, i would let her do it now as well. when someone else it out thier it makes a big difference.

that is the rules i have. my kids cannot use the pool when me or their dad isn't home. my older ones are 12, if they wanted to swim solo, i don't care because i can see them from about 5 windows in my house.

Answer 4

Honestly this is up to you as to when you feel comfortable letting her be alone. I would say 11 is plenty old to be on her own with you checking on her frequently. I would not leave her alone and go on about my buisness because even if she is a very talented swimmer and has been taught well accidents do happen. So good luck and don't let go before you are ready.

Answer 5

I would let someone swim with a buddy (someone close to their age) when they were 15 and up, provided I was at home at the time, and checking on them every few minutes. It only takes a few inches to drown, and one wrong hit on the head to knock her out. You should let her swim with a friend when she is 15, and when she is 17 she could swim by herself. Use your discretion though.

Answer 6

Nobody, no matter how old, should be able to swim alone.  If she is a capable swimmer, then she could perhaps be allowed to swim without parental supervision, but never by herself.  There should be an equally capable friend or sibling who can swim with her.

Answer 7

The answer is no one is allowed to swim alone in the pool.  Not adults, kids, dogs or monsters.  If you go to a public beach, there are signs that state no swimming without lifeguards or swim at your own risk.  At public pools in my community, the pools are emptied of all swimmer if no lifeguard is present.  And tell her that if you catch her, the punishment will be severe.

Answer 8

My mom use to let 'us', my cousins and/or siblings, swim alone when we were 9 and 10 years old. I don't recall her letting me swim alone until I was eleven, and I had taken swimming lessons when I was 4. So, I guess you could just tell her when you think it's appropriate, but if she's with friend or others her age, who know not to horseplay and be rough, I don't see anything wrong with letting her do so now.

Answer 9

I have heard of older children and even adults drowing in pools.  So I usually take a magazine, book or phone and stay out there with my kids.  My husband is in the insurance business and over the summer we get about one phone call a month - if not more - of a child who died.  It just doesn't seem worth the gamble.

Answer 10

my parents let me, 16 and my little brother and his friends(with out me) swim and he just turned 13 today. they were always very strict about that, but if theres another person with them i see no problem at allowing them at 11

Answer 11

I was allowed when I was about 11 or 12. But definately not under the age of 10. It is too risky. But yes, at age 11 or 12 you should let her be responsible. You can at least go inside and keep an eye on her through the window, peeking out at her every once in a while.