Pool Time for Children

My 2 year old uses the arm floaties beautifully, but I do stay right by her. I would try taking them to a kid friendly pool (Arlington has several) or a splash park (Grand Prairie's is decent and well priced) unless you have another adult or two to help.

Life jackets have always been the best thing for us. My daughter is a little over 2 1/2 and we do have something a little different for her. It's not a life jacket but an excellent floatation device. It goes around her chest and has arms for her too. We got it last year at Walmart and it still fits her this year. She never complains about it, and even jumps off the diving board with it on.

We have a pool. I can tell you from experience that this is way too many kids to take to the pool all at once by yourself. I have a three year old (Who can swim) and a nine month old and it can be pretty daunting to watch them in the water when I am by myself. I would highly recommend investing in some help...a neighbor or high schooler. Surely someone would find an adventure in the pool fun. We also have a rule at our pool that if you don't have an adult with you and you can't swim across the pool longways, you may not go in without a life vest (this helps our friends who have more than one child - the "pool rules" are the bad guy, not the grown ups). So I would recommend a life vest for all non swimmers...they come in all sizes from infant to grown ups. Be safe and good luck!

NRH2O ad the Hurst pool on Pipeline have a great toddler area and life vests avalible, so check yyou area pools. I agree take a high schooler to help you watch the kids!

That's a lot of kids to watch at once. Take them to a spray park.

You can purchase what I call a "floaty swimsuit" at Wal-mart. The floaties are actually sewn inside the swimsuit (front and back)which allows the toddler to stay afloat at all times. At my Wal-mart these type of swimsuits are in the toy section where they sell things for "pool" time. Hope this helps you enjoy fun at the pool.

This is too many children for one adult to watch. You need to take another responsible adult or older teenager with you. If the baby boat you are talking about is anything like the one we have, it can be turned on its side if the baby kicks hard enough, so be very careful with the 17 month old and the 2 year old.

Maybe you could take them to a spray ground instead. I know Dallas Parks and Recreation has a list of locations online, and I bet other area cities do too.

You can do it, but it requires some good planning:) I have 5 kids and I do it almost everyday, and my oldest is 9 too. I have a 3 yr old, 2 year old and a new born as well as my 6 yr old daughter. I disagree though that the 3 year old is too young for floaties!! In fact my 2 and 3 year olds use them and have since they were each about 16 months old. I dont like life vests as they tend to push them forward, and the baby boats can be tipped over by kids big enough to do it. You could do floaties with a little blow up ring around them too, but honestly, my kids do great. I could go on and on about how I pull it off, and have been able to advise many other families as organizing these types of activites is fortunately a strong point for me...I have many other things I dont do well, but this one thing I actually handle pretty easily. Let me know if you have any other questions, or just want some tried and true ideas!! ~A.~

Not sure where you are located but we have a nice kiddie pool in Grapevine. It is 0 depth to 2 1/2 feet. There phone # is ###-###-####. Its the pleasant glade pool. There is also a large swimming pool for the big kids. They have several life guards always on duty at both pools. They do not allow any type of floaties or floating devices they only allow coast guard approved life vest. Its not very crowded at all during the week they do close from 5-7 for swim lessons during the week. The big kids love the kiddie pool too. Hope this helps.

I dont know it sounds like a pretty big risk to me.If they were all yours it would ok but being responsible for other peoples kids is a totally different story.I think you have to ask yourself if the fun is worth the risk pooltime with young ones can be very dangerous.With that said for the three year old they have swimsuits with built in floties.i would definitly get some help before going to the pool.

I'm still thinking that would be tough, but have you tried the Glade Pool on Hall Johnson Rd. in Grapevine? They have a large baby pool where the 3 year old could walk around the whole baby pool while you watch (maybe the older ones would help play with her too) and the two little ones could sit and play in the zero entry part. The two big ones get the shaft here unless you allow them to swim in the big pool by themselves (there are lifeguards and the shallow end is probably 4 ft.) or maybe they would enjoy just being able to splash around in the baby pool area. I'm thinking you try it once, and see if it's too hectic. The other option would be the 2 baby boats and the 3 year old in a life vest in the big pool. Again, maybe the big kids would play with the 3 year old some too. There are no steps in the big pool for the 3 year old to play on, just ladders into the pool.

I have a home day care and there have been 63 deaths this year swimming for children. We can only take 5 if they are all over 2 yrs old. That is in 2 ft of water. If there is one younger then 2 they will only let us take one other child. I put all mine in life jackets and we only go in a pool 2 ft deep. You have older ones that can also watch them but would have to stay right with the 17 mo all the time. The two and three also would be a huge risk. Because of the young one I think I would pass but if you have a friend to go with you to help watch that would be better. It is just the baby that is a concern. Good Luck also if they were to go in a bigger pool we have to have a life guard on duty. My 11 yr old has been swimming now for years and she helps me some but basically can go with friends all the time without concerns. The state told me it is very risky but I feel better with the jackets. Still once they lift off get scared. I had one that learned to float and he always floated with his face down. I have pics of him always doing that on purpose. Remember to always smile and not panic when they go under because that is how they learn. I have taught kids to swim and it is much easier to take one in a deeper end but with a bunch can not do it. Take toys to the pool so they can chase them or a small ball. Be suited up in with them. Sun Screen is a must and water to drink. Make sure you have a cell phone for emergencies and a list of all the kids so you do not miss any. Some are scared the first time and cling to you. Best of luck and safety first. G. W

I have heard that the city of hurst has a great public pool/waterpark. I have gone online at city of hurst.com. It is very cheap. I was going to go this summer but its been too hot. Hope this helps

I agree with the others that said that's too many to watch safely on your own. It literally only takes a split second for something to happen and I don't think one person can safely watch three under three. Unless your two older ones will watch the older two toddlers VERY safely and are VERY trustworthy, I woulndn't risk it. I do think SOME 8-9 year olds are old enough to watch them with you there but they may not want to and I don't know their maturity level. I have a Speedo swim vest for my three year old and LOVE it. I don't think they have any more though but got it from Target for $20. It is NOT coast gaurd approved but it does keep him up and I really like it better than an actual life vest because it's thinner he will wear it without a fight. I would try to find a neighbor girl to help you out for a few dollars...some during the summer will even do it for free because they are bored and like kids...put a flier up somewhere if you need to to find someone or just ask around.

make life jackets your rule....even the eldest

R.,
After doing CPR for 20 minutes in Mexico and saving a 6yr.old from drowning please get life jackets. The ONLY Coast Guard Approved and what I used with my daughters are on line called mypoolpal.com, they are a little money,but worth the cost. They are a one piece swim suit and they automatically put a child up right in the water. One thing my girls did like is that they didn't have the big neck piece like the orange ones.

Always have extra help and count your kids when you go inside and lock doors and have lock up high and chimes on!!

Best of luck! B.

I am with another mom - enlist the help of a high schooler or friend to help out. Also - my 4 year old can't swim so everytime we are in the pool - which is alot this summer - he is in a life vest. This lets him go whereever he wants and gives us peace of mind. Of course - no matter what he can't get in the pool without an adult with him. So I would do both things - the help and a life vest. You might even look at a life vest for the 2 year old.

I got this really great float for my daughter, it is called a Puddle Jumper by Stearns Flotation. It is GREAT!! I still watch her of course but she is able to swim around with it and it is coast guard approved. She is 2.5 years old. I saw some at Walmart awhile back but I ordered mine from Amazon. Do you have any friends that could go with you? It seems like a lot of work for just you.

Use a life vest. This will allow them some freedom and still keep them safe.