Would you let your 7 year old go to a water park without you?

Question

My sons school is having their school wide end of the year party at the local water park. It will be closed to the public and only to their school (and maybe some others). However, no parents are aloud to go only the teachers (like 30 or so) but they will not be aloud to be in the water and they will have a staff of lifeguards on duty actually in some parts of the water with the kids. This school has around 400 or so kids ranging from 6-12. My son really wants to go and play with his friends but I'm scared to death as even though there will be lifeguards they are use to watching a group of kids play in the water while they are being watched over by their parents. I also would be able to tell him where he can and can not go if I am there (and my son is very responsible but he is also 7 and would go to deep waters if his friends were going). Me and one of his friends mom (who also isint to sure about letting her child go) was thinking of taking them to a local pool and playing in the water that day still and taking them out for lunch so they could still have some fun.

Some of his other classmates parents, the teacher, and even some of my family thinks we are being way to over protective so I'm wanting to hear from other parents if you would let your child go in a similar situation?

Answer 1

i think my answer to that would depend on my child's swimming level.





*eta -- if he can't swim i wouldn't send him (but i'd sign him up for some swim lessons so he learns for next time!). it's way too easy for a kid to go under quickly and quietly when someone's attention is focused elsewhere (likely with 400 kids). if he can, say, swim a length of a pool no problem, then i would let him go. i started letting my kids go to pool parties without me or my husband only when i was confident they were good swimmers.

Answer 2

I haven't read the other answers yet so I'm sorry if I'm just repeating but I agree that you're being a little too overprotective. It sounds like there will be plenty of adult supervision. Many parents let their kids starting at about 6 go to summer camp where there is swimming, counselors, lifeguards and no parents. I don't see this as any different. You could warn the head of the whole field trip that your son is not a very good swimmer that way they can filter it down to the other teacher chaperones to watch out for him while he's in there.



I personally find the 'no parent' rule ridiculous of the park. First off, unless someone tells them, how are they supposed to know who's a teacher and who's a parent? If it were me I'd let the park know of my feelings and after this field trip they would not be getting my business. That may sound harsh but nothings too harsh when it comes to a childs safety.



A day with mom 1 friend and their mom is in no way the same as a huge end of year party with everyone from school and teachers (it's nice, as a kid, to see teachers in a more relaxed setting)

Answer 3

I say let him go... 400 kids in a water park is not very many when they are use to thousands every day.. There will be plenty of teachers on site and life guards. Let him have fun with his friends. Most all the things that will interest at a water park at this age will be in shallow water.. Slides and the theme areas will be where most of the kids will be centered.. They want allow kids that are two short on the big slides so you want have to worry about that but he will be able to slide down the kiddie ones which are shallower.. When my son was 7 he really didn't care about anything except for the big area that had a huge i guess you would call it playground in the water.. It had small slides and a big barrel that would feel with water and then it would topple over once it got filled and splash everyone.. they had water guns that could be sprayed and the water never got over your knees..

Answer 4

i would be nervous too,30 adults to 400 students isnt enough in this setting. sure there will be lifeguards, but thats a lot of small children....and as far as the park not letting parents go...are they checking your occupation at the door? they dont know a parent from a teacher, so i have trouble with that part. our school has never taken the kids on a trip that the parents couldnt go on.

Answer 5

I think you should deffintley let your son go. The school is making sure they are under the supervision of adults, their teachers, who i'm sure care about him and his safety. In addition to these 30 plus teachers, there is plenty lifegaurds on duty.

Immagine how your son would feel if he wasn't allowed to go, and all of his friends are? It could be emotionally and socially damaging to him, especially the day after at school when all of his friends are talking and laughing about it, he'll just feel left out, and may resent you for it when he comes home. Yes he will eventually get over it if

you don't let him go, but he is young and shoould be able to have fun and feel included at a young age.

Answer 6

He'll be well watched. Let him have a good time with his friends. The school nor the water park wants anything to happen so the kids will probably be overmonitored. Children need to learn the skills of being on their own a bit.

Answer 7

Perfectly safe. The park is closed to others, they have professional lifeguards on duty and plenty of teachers to keep watch over everything. Your kid will have a blast, let him go.

Answer 8

let the kid go if all the teachers and lifeguards are going to be there and they arent allowed in the water, it doesnt sound unsafe at all. let him go have fun with all of his friends and school, when will he ever have the chance to have a private water park party again?

Answer 9

I am having a hard time understanding why parents can't go. If it was my daughter, I probably wouldn't let her go. There are too many kids and it doesn't sound like a lot of chaperones. The day you have planned sounds like fun. Maybe there is another waterpark type thing you can go to.

Answer 10

Let him go. I know it will hurt you, I have 2 grown boys. Sometimes you have to let them do things without you as long as they will be supervised by someone who is qualified. From your post, they seem to be qualified. Bite the bullet. I have many times. Let him go. He will be happy you did. You will be relieved when he comes back home and cannot shut up about how much fun he had.

Answer 11

Let the kid go as long as theres teachers and lifeguards watching he should be ok

Answer 12

If there are teachers and lifegaurds there then yes.





Going with friends from school and going with your mom is a totally different experience.

Answer 13

I think he is a little to young. Is he a good swimmer? Maybe you could take him another day with one or two of his friends. It would be much safer. In the meantime you should ask God for help, even if you're not Christian. I will pray too.

Answer 14

I would ALLOW him to go. He should be fine.



I don't see why no parents would be ALLOWED to go. I would think they would like some chaperones.

Answer 15

I don't believe that parents aren't allowed to go. I would call the school, and meet with the principal.

Answer 16

if your that concerned put him in a life jacket. HIs teachers and classmates will be there NOTHING bad will happen.

Answer 17

it's a school trip let him go and have fun

Answer 18

ok i no that u do not want to hear from me ( im 12 )- but if it was me i would not let him go ( u never no wat can go wrong ). take him out that day like you said with his firend.