Hellobee Boards

I would hire a life guard.

Hire a life guard. Two summers ago at a party the fourteen year old life guard pulled my sons friend out from the bottom of the pool. He was blue and spent a night in the hospital but he was ok. The entire party/group was right there standing feet away.

I don't think all lifeguards are created equal. As a former lifeguard myself, I basically "test" every kid that comes over to swim at our house. If they cannot swim to my satisfaction, they can choose from the variety of swim vests that I have available. Otherwise, they can enter the pool only if their parent joins them. I am usually in the pool with the kids, primarily because even if they can swim, sometimes what happens is they get too close and grab at each other, and then before you know it, someone is under water.

I would be very clear about when the kids can swim. If there are other things going on, such as having cake, there are no kids in the pool, no matter what. I would also have some games and things by the pool that kids can do if they don't want to be in the pool while the larger group is swimming.

@lamariniere: I don't have it in me to host a pool party at my own home. The most I have ever had is two kids over other than my son.

I've been to quite a few and we're hosting our first tomorrow. The first was age 4, but most are 5 and older. We live in SoCal so most kids are pretty swim proficient. About half were in places with a lifeguard but parents typically stay close to the kids that are not as strong. That would. E my only rule.

For our house we waiting until age 5, put on the evite that were taking down the pool fence for the day (whole party will be outside). I don't believe anyone younger than nearly 5 is coming and we kept the guest list small.