https://boards.hellobee.com/ Pregnancy, Baby and Parenting blog, by Hellobee en Wed, 06 May 2026 07:05:46 +0000 https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/going-to-the-pool-with-two-los#post-2715736 Fri, 24 Mar 2017 09:54:56 +0000 KayKay 2715736@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I'm not sure if I would be comfortable doing a big, adult-sized pool with 2 on my own. Less because of specific safety concerns (I'd just make them wear lifejacket/puddle jumpers/whatever and most of ours have lifeguards too), but more because of logistics. I'd probably try it once to see how it goes, and then re-evaluate.</p> <p>Our parks here have 2ft deep wading pools for the kids, and that was totally fine last summer with 4y and 1.5y kids. I stayed very close to the 1.5y, but the 4y I could easily watch from afar (not really that far). </p> <p>I think I'd prefer something with a separate kids pool/area or a splash pad/park area instead of just a big pool for those ages. But again, I'd probably try it once to see! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/going-to-the-pool-with-two-los#post-2715660 Fri, 24 Mar 2017 08:43:43 +0000 yin 2715660@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>We belong to our community pool, and I've been bring both kids since they were 1 and 4. They hang out in the kiddie pool most of the time, and it can be pretty relaxing. It's a little more difficult to manage with both in the big pool, but it's not too bad as long as one kid has floaties on. Also helps that the pool is down the street. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/going-to-the-pool-with-two-los#post-2715620 Fri, 24 Mar 2017 08:00:26 +0000 LuLu Mom 2715620@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>As long as my oldest has her puddle jumper on I'm fine with it, ,my youngest (2) is still too small for it so I have to hold her the whole time or keep her within arms reach. My oldest has no fear and wants to go in the "big part" not just the zero entry kid area, when this happens DH will have to go with me, I can't do both. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/going-to-the-pool-with-two-los#post-2715613 Fri, 24 Mar 2017 07:54:18 +0000 Cole 2715613@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>How familiar are you with the pool? Ours has steps along the whole Olympic length and a ledge along one whole width so in the beginning we stayed close to that corner. The girls were 4&amp;2 and the 4 yo could doggy paddle, go under water and reach the ground across the part of the pool we stayed in. Around here it's super common for the pools to not allow puddle jumpers or any flotation devices so that wasn't an option. The 2 yo would stay on the steps or ledge unless I held her. We were lucky to have a baby pool option too but the 4yo strongly preferred the big pool. </p> <p>In your shoes I'd have someone come along the first couple of times, get down a solid routine for them to sit while everyone takes off shoes and cover ups and you get out toys, sunscreen etc. And then a good routine for leaving as well. I'd probably go so far as to start a sticker chart for your 4yo that if she cooperates in and out for X days she gets a reward (because heaven knows the pool will have some goody she desperately wants!) I honestly found getting the kids out of there was far harder than managing them in the water. A stroller may be your best friend in terms of keeping your 1.5 yo safe while you get dried off and help your 4yo. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/going-to-the-pool-with-two-los#post-2715600 Fri, 24 Mar 2017 07:33:22 +0000 twodoghouse 2715600@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Foodnerd81: as far as puddle jumpers on a younger child - I think it's possible, but sort of depends on her proportions. Last year A was just over 2, and about 21, 22 lbs? She wore a puddle jumper just fine. The main concern was not actually her weight, but her height. Being shorter than her twin brother (who was about 26 lbs last summer), I could really see a difference in how the PJ fit he two kids. Being short made it a little awkward on her. It didn't keep her head as far out of the water and the arm part was really bulky on her, but DH or I always had one kid with us, so I felt ok with her in it. This year A is only a couple lbs heavier (24.5 lbs at her last sick child visit), but she is much much taller, so I think it will be more comfortable on her. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/going-to-the-pool-with-two-los#post-2715588 Fri, 24 Mar 2017 06:46:52 +0000 shellio 2715588@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I take my 3 all the time. Last summer when we were going a lot, my oldest was 4 and my middle was 2. The 4 year old can kind of swim but not so that I feel comfortable moving very far away from him. My kids have vests that they wear that keep them afloat enough that they can sort of swim around with their head above water which they enjoy. Neither of the older ones are super ambitious about the water and they don't try to go into the deep areas or go very far from me. Our pool is very kid friendly with zero entry and a small slide so even the baby can sit in the water and splash a little, and the bigger kids love to help with her. And I always go when it isn't a busy time so it is easier to keep track of my kids. Also if you're regularly going to the same neighborhood pool, maybe you'll make some friends and can help each other out. We see lots of people from our neighborhood at ours and that is fun for the kids and can be helpful for me too. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/going-to-the-pool-with-two-los#post-2715576 Fri, 24 Mar 2017 05:58:10 +0000 oliviaoblivia 2715576@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Foodnerd81: haha. Since I can't take three I only have experience taking my older two. My oldest (4) is pretty sufficient with a puddle jumper and likes to swim in circles around me and my middle (2) is less confident and stays very close to me. It took some time, buy I don't worry about taking them on my own and leaving dh and the baby at home. The pool​ is on our street so there aren't too many difficult logistics in getting there and back. I strip their suits,get them mostly dressed, and toss them in the stroller or wagon to get home.</p> <p>I wouldn't feel comfortable taking my younger two though. One baby and one big kid would be ok though. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/going-to-the-pool-with-two-los#post-2715572 Fri, 24 Mar 2017 04:30:37 +0000 lamariniere 2715572@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I only just did this recently when we were at a hotel with an indoor pool, and my kids are 3 and 6. Neither of them can swim. I'm not sure if I would do it at a public pool. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/going-to-the-pool-with-two-los#post-2715527 Thu, 23 Mar 2017 22:08:16 +0000 MrsB2012 2715527@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Foodnerd81: I wash at home too, playing in the shower keeps them warm and preoccupied while I deal with myself :)<br /> Same,my oldest is potty trained so only one swim diaper ! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/going-to-the-pool-with-two-los#post-2715505 Thu, 23 Mar 2017 21:29:57 +0000 Foodnerd81 2715505@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@MrsB2012: yeah I will be waiting to wash them until we get home! And the older one is potty trained so at least it's just one swim diaper to deal with. But I remember over the winter when the older one was in swim lessons it was an ordeal just to get her dressed after. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/going-to-the-pool-with-two-los#post-2715490 Thu, 23 Mar 2017 21:13:36 +0000 MrsB2012 2715490@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I took the two pretty regularly before the new baby came. It was quite manageable once we got a routine. The oldest wore her water wings, the youngest sometimes wore a life jacket, sometimes I just held her.<br /> Getting dressed was the hardest part after. We would go in the privaRe family rooms, they'd gonin the shower, I'd dress myself, pull one out of the shower ( thus soaking myself) dress her, then grab the next and then go. I dressed myself first because they would keep playing in the shower / slipping, and it was quicker to do myself first without worrying about them getting wet again </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/going-to-the-pool-with-two-los#post-2715454 Thu, 23 Mar 2017 20:31:50 +0000 caterw 2715454@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I've been worrying about this a lot too. I have a 3.5 year old and a baby (currently 4 months and will be 7 months when the pool opens at our apartment). Luckily it's a very small pool but I am nervous about taking my eyes off the 3 year old even for a split second. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/going-to-the-pool-with-two-los#post-2715404 Thu, 23 Mar 2017 20:01:40 +0000 Foodnerd81 2715404@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Puddle jumpers- will they fit a small 1.5 year old? I think we borrowed one when DD1 was about that age and it was ok. (Not like, I would walk away from her, obviously, but like she could bob right next to me). </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/going-to-the-pool-with-two-los#post-2715402 Thu, 23 Mar 2017 20:00:06 +0000 Foodnerd81 2715402@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@twodoghouse: I'm imagining meeting friends there but most of us have two kids now, similar ages to mine, so the ration stays the same. But it enables one mom to bring a kid to the bathroom or whatever while the others mind the extra. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/going-to-the-pool-with-two-los#post-2715381 Thu, 23 Mar 2017 19:45:08 +0000 Corduroy 2715381@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I plan on trying this year with my 4yo and 22mo. LO2 will be in a puddle jumper. LO1 will ideally get more swim lessons before our pool opens. I hope she won't need a puddle jumper (I didn't let her wear one last year to encourage swimming) but I'll take fun with two in puddle jumpers over staying home. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/going-to-the-pool-with-two-los#post-2715370 Thu, 23 Mar 2017 19:38:33 +0000 twodoghouse 2715370@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I probably wouldn't do it by myself at a big public pool. I'm planning on trying it by myself at my friend's pool this summer now that my kids will be 3. I won't have my husband with me, but I will have one or two friends with their kids there too. So it'll be a ratio of 3 adults to 4 kids. My kids were very comfortable in and around the water in their puddle jumpers last year, but I did not at all feel comfortable with two 2 year olds on my own. Not to mention the whole getting them into swim diapers, swim suits, sunscreen, etc. is just a pain in the butt by yourself. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/going-to-the-pool-with-two-los#post-2715355 Thu, 23 Mar 2017 19:30:43 +0000 travellingbee 2715355@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I don't feel comfortable with it. :( </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/going-to-the-pool-with-two-los#post-2715351 Thu, 23 Mar 2017 19:22:11 +0000 MrsSRS 2715351@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Yes. I did it all the time last summer, but if I was the only adult then everyone wore their puddle jumpers all the time. No exceptions. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/going-to-the-pool-with-two-los#post-2715257 Thu, 23 Mar 2017 16:51:12 +0000 Foodnerd81 2715257@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@oliviaoblivia: I think things only start seeming manageable with two after you have a third. :silly: </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/going-to-the-pool-with-two-los#post-2715240 Thu, 23 Mar 2017 16:18:59 +0000 gingerbebe 2715240@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I would put my older kid in survival swim classes now (ugh the nearest one to us is 40 minutes away so we can't yet) so that when summer is here I don't have to worry so much about him at the pool. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/going-to-the-pool-with-two-los#post-2715235 Thu, 23 Mar 2017 16:13:34 +0000 oliviaoblivia 2715235@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>It sounds manageable with two as long as they both have floaties on. I'm not allowed to go on my own with three which kind of sucks. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/going-to-the-pool-with-two-los#post-2715233 Thu, 23 Mar 2017 16:12:08 +0000 MrsBrewer 2715233@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>No idea....but I find it daunting to go with 1!! hahah this year i will still be pregnant with LO2, but LO1 will be 2 and I'm nervous to go by myself! (granted I will be 8 months pregnant at the time....) </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/going-to-the-pool-with-two-los#post-2715228 Thu, 23 Mar 2017 16:07:57 +0000 sunnyday 2715228@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Once my second was sitting, we started going. Put no time pressure on yourself and have fun :) </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/going-to-the-pool-with-two-los#post-2715225 Thu, 23 Mar 2017 16:04:17 +0000 rattles 2715225@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I spent several days a week last summer at the pools with my then 1.5 and 3.5 year olds. The oldest was in swimming lessons, but I kept them both in puddle jumpers and in the baby/kids pools when I didn't have any other support. It was scary at first, but we figured it out! It was helpful to go with other moms/kids for extra eyes and incentive for the kids to stay put, but it was also fun to make memories just the three of us. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/going-to-the-pool-with-two-los#post-2715220 Thu, 23 Mar 2017 15:59:27 +0000 Foodnerd81 2715220@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Catchy title, huh?</p> <p>This will be our first summer in the burbs, with access to a town swimming pool or pool club or something (haven decided exactly what). Also our first summer with two active and mobile kids- dd1 turns 4 this summer and dd2 will be 1.5. </p> <p>Is it realistic to bring two small children to a pool by yourself without losing your mind? I stay home and so far we have no summer plans. The big one will probably take swimming lessons too. </p>