So Hubs' Dad and Step-Mom live on a lake, and they'll be watching Xander for a weekend while we go to a wedding. I keep thinking about whether I feel comfortable with them taking him into the lake when we're not there or not. He'll be 5 months. I'm thinking about saying if they have an infant life jacket, they can take him into the water (and on the boat), and if they don't, then they can't. I know that they would hold onto him at all times, regardless of having a life jacket or not, but I'm thinking just to be on the safe side, to veto it if they don't have a life jacket. Is this too strict?
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Nope!! I would say the same thing. No life jacket then no where near the water.
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That isn't too strict at all! I think that is a very reasonable request and isn't a hard one to remember. Maybe you could help this along by sending him with a lifejacket so they don't have to get one?
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I would veto it with or without a life jacket. I'm simply not comfortable with anyone other than me or my husband taking my child into a body of water. I don't think that's a ridiculous rule at all.
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@MrsTiz: haha, actually, I'm kind of hoping they don't have one so they just won't be able to take him into the water!
@MamaMoose: I hear that!! I originally was going to say that too, but I know my husband thinks I'm over-reacting, so I'm compromising with this life jacket rule.
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I don't think it's too strict. I'd probably only take DS on a boat if he had a life jacket even if I was there. And actually I think it's the law here. But our lakes are few and far between in AZ.
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I think thats great.
Also, is he mobile at all? I would be careful about locking doors too to make sure he doesn't get outside.
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@Adira: If they don't have one and are going to go in, there is a much bigger chance he'll go in without one..do they go in often?
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Depends on how much you trust them. I would have no problem with my parents taking LO into the water without a life jacket or on a boat if they did have one. I wouldn't be quite as comfortable with my ILs, but because they're older/not as comfortable in the water.
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@Adira: I don't think its too strict. I think that it is appropriate.
I would supply the life jacket though. Who knows what kind of 1970's life jacket they would come up with and call it safe.
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I would be ok with my parents doing this, but I think whatever you are absolutely comfortable with is reasonable. You don't want to be worrying about LO while you're not there, even if it would be fine. You're the mom.
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@Adira: I would buy a life jacket and take it to them, this way they have no excuse
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If you have to ask yourself if you'd be comfortable with the situation, you aren't comfortable with it. I only trust myself and my husband. A life jacket is not negotiable. Definitely get one for him!!!
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I think maybe a 5 month old wouldn't be old enough to really appreciate being in a boat! It's kind of mostly downside risk then, without much upside... unless it's something the grandparents really want to do, then I guess there's upside for them?
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@Mrsbells: totally agree. Buy the life jacket yourself. The situation makes me nervous though.
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You're being totally reasonable! Life jackets in a boat are the law here.
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@babynumber1: Agree-- I would buy the life jacket myself if I was going to agree to this plan. They could buy the wrong size or have an old one they think is fine.
I think it depends how comfortable they are with the water and the boat-- I did not grow up on the water or with boats or anything, so it seems kind of dangerous, but my friend did and she thinks it's silly that a non mobile infant would need a life jacket at all, since someone good at steering a boat will make it a smooth ride and someone who is holding the baby. But I'd be with you and buying a good quality life jacket.
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@T.H.O.U.: Luckily he's not mobile, so I won't have to worry about that one!
@MrsTiz: Hmm... good point. And I'm assuming they go in a lot since they live there. Maybe I'll hope for bad weather.
@mrbee: Yeah, I think they probably would think that he would enjoy it or something. Or they'd just enjoy taking him on the boat. Who knows! They were complaining about me not letting them visit at 2 weeks postpartum because they thought he would "forget them". Like he ever even knew who they were!
@MrsTiz: @babynumber1: @Foodnerd81: I kind of don't want to buy a life jacket just for this one visit... unless you can get one that will last him until he's 2 or something? We aren't on the water a lot, so this kind of purchase would really just be for their house, which we'll visit like once or twice in the summer. And presumably next year, anything I buy now won't fit him, right?
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@Adira: My big concern about lake time would actually be sunburn!! Hopefully they're hardcore about slathering it on and using sun hats, etc.
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@mrbee: OMG, if Xander got burnt there, they would NEVER SEE HIM AGAIN!!! Okay, maybe not never, but I would soooooooo upset. I'm definitely supplying them with sunscreen and letting them know to keep him out of the sun as much as possible!
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I would say no to the boat, but yes to swimming. But, they MUST have a life vest for him on the boat...not only for safety, but it's a legal issue, too...just like carseats and seatbelts. If they don't have one, then they absolutely can't take him on the boat, since he can't swim.
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@Dandelion: I think the reason I'm concerned about him having one while swimming is because it's pretty rocky where they live, so it could be really easy to just slip on the rocks while holding him and drop him in the water!
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@Adira: I think if you just say no being in the lake, they'll probably listen. If you're not comfortable with it, then that's enough reason for them not to do it.
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@Dandelion: I'd LIKE to say that, but I'm worried they won't listen. Plus I think my husband will side with them that I'm being unreasonable. He just won't understand WHY I'm not comfortable with it. (His parents used to take him and his sister skiing on their backs when they were babies to give you an idea of what they used to think was safe)
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23 comments