One of our readers faced a harrowing situation. After a long day at work, she drove home, looking forward to a quiet evening with her 3-year-old. Instead, her heart dropped when she saw her daughter alone in the swimming pool.

Thank you for contacting us! We appreciate your concern and would like to share some tips that might assist you in making the best decision.

Bath time or splashing in puddles doesn’t equate to swimming skills. A pool presents a completely different environment, and a 3-year-old can easily slip underwater, even in shallow areas. They can lose their balance quickly and tire out fast. It’s crucial to provide constant supervision because a 3-year-old lacks the strength, coordination, and awareness needed to stay safe in a pool alone.

Let your parents know that you appreciate their help, but babysitting your daughter near the pool requires constant vigilance, which they weren’t able to provide this time. It’s completely fine to avoid letting them babysit your child for now. You can try rebuilding trust once they fully understand the gravity of such situations.

To ensure your daughter’s safety, it may be best to seek alternative childcare arrangements when a pool is involved. This doesn’t mean you can’t trust your parents, but it acknowledges that maintaining pool safety requires a level of attention they might not be able to provide right now. Consider hiring a babysitter with experience in pool safety, or looking into childcare centers that have lifeguards on duty and offer supervised swimming facilities.

Floaties and armbands are designed to be fun and help build confidence, but they should never replace adult supervision. In a pool setting, it’s crucial to keep a constant watch on young children, regardless of what safety devices they’re wearing. Swimming rings and arm bands can be punctured or gradually deflate, potentially leaving your child with less support than anticipated. Always prioritize close, attentive supervision to ensure their safety.

Family disagreements can be challenging, particularly when it comes to parenting decisions. A Reddit user recently shared her difficult experience regarding her stepdaughter’s diet, expressing doubts about her choices after refusing to prepare vegan and gluten-free meals.