'Irresponsible' Mom Slammed for Leaving Four-Year-Old Alone in Pool

A mother has been slammed by online strangers for not supervising her four-year-old child at a public pool.

In a post shared on Mumsnet earlier today, the woman, who goes by the username CatTurd, attracted criticism when she asked if it was OK to leave her child unsupervised by the pool.

"[Am I being unreasonable] To leave 4 year old alone in pool. With armbands on and me sitting at the side on a sun lounger. Just curious because I noticed all the other parents getting in or following their 4/5/6 yr olds around. Maybe I'm being too relaxed," her post reads.

According to data by the Consumer Product Safety Commission, in 2021 there were about 6,800 reports of non-fatal injuries related to pools and spas.

Of the reported pool- or spa-related fatal child drownings, 73 percent involved children younger than 5 years of age.

Most users scolded the mother, saying she should supervise her child. One user, GoldPig, said: "Too relaxed yes." And MrsPelligrinoPetrichor added: "I wonder why they are supervising their very young children by water, could you think why?"

MarysShackles said: "Yep you need to be in the pool with a 4 year old." And Wnikat commented: "Of course I wouldn't let my 4 year old go in a swimming pool on his own, no."

Another user, StepAwayFromGoogling, pointed out: "I'd say that's too young to be without you unless you are eyes on him the whole time. Assuming he can touch the bottom/is in a confined space/can't get elsewhere easily?"

TokyoSushi added: "I think if you're watching like a hawk and very close to the side of the pool then yes. Reading a book while they go off into the pool, then no."

Heldinadream said: "Young children can drown in a couple of inches of water very rapidly, let alone an actual pool."

ComDummings wrote: "Absolutely don't. I was in a pool where a small child of 3/4 slipped out of her arm bands and almost drowned while her parents sat next to the pool chatting and not paying attention. My [dear husband] grabbed her and put her on the side. If we hadn't been nearby she'd have been dead."

LibraryFairy said: "Our local pools all have signs saying adults should be in the pool with under 5s and keep within arms reach, so yes I think you're being too 'relaxed'." And Shortname said: "You sitting at the side 100% focused on 4yr old and ready to jump in immediately if required is ok I think. 'On a sun lounger' suggests that's not the case so I voted unreasonable."

Orwellwasright pointed out: "Armbands are shit. They restrict movement and shouldn't be used as a buoyancy aid. That you think your kid is safe because they're wearing armbands suggests you don't know a lot about water safety [to be honest]."

Another user, OnlyFoolsnMothers, asked: "Can they swim? My 4, nearly 5 year old has lessons and I'd still probably get in." And SomePosters added: "I'm usually the super relaxed one that other parents judge. I wouldn't consider this."

Stevienickssnickers said: "I once had to jump in a pool to drag a young girl out because her parents were too busy sunbathing to notice she was in trouble. Get in the pool."

And Bunnycat101 added: "I think you're being totally irresponsible I'm afraid. My 6yo is a good swimmer for her age but I'd never let her in the pool without an adult being in with her. She's too unpredictable, likes jumping in, going under etc. also have a 3yo and there is no way I'd not be in with her."