Managing with no buggy in latchmere changing rooms Post Reply

[Mustgetmyrootsdone]

Hello, saw a notice that they're banning buggies from latchmere changing room /pool side from this week - wondering how I'll manage : I have 5&3yr olds in swimming lessons together, any advice on how to manage their showers etc now that my toddler will be on the loose and my packhorse of a buggy won't be there to pin him down/hold my stuff! Any advice v welcome!

[falstaff]

They're also insisting on no shoes/plastic covers over shoes which is a bit hopeless if you're trying to get kids dressed in the changing rooms- can't really leave their shoes off. My friend gave me a dinosaur towel which has a hole for the head and so stays on and keeps the child warm and dries him, giving me time to sort everything out and get myself changed and packed up. This, plus a couple of biscuits to keep him occupied, worked really well for one child- might give you a bit of breathing space for 2? Not sure what you can do about carrying all the kit though!

[schoolgatesmum]

I guess the reason for this is that a lot of dirt and germs are brought in from shoes and buggies. At Clapham Manor Street you have to take your shoes off before you get into the changing rooms and I'm pretty sure that there are no buggies allowed either. The changing rooms there are spotless. It does help that there is a heated floor though!

[IheartTooting]

They have also stepped up the hygiene routine at Tooting Leisure Centre and are quite strict about the plastic covers being worn over shoes. The covers are at the front of the changing rooms so I just put them on before entering the changing rooms.

I use a huge sports bag when taking my three swimming so everything is contained in one place. I can't see how people won't be able to cope leaving the buggies in reception and then walking through to the changing rooms.

I can normally persuade my 3 yo to sit in one place using biscuits and handing over my iphone so I can get his sisters dressed. It's never too stressful.

Good luck!

[Mustgetmyrootsdone]

iPhone. Of course. 3 kids and still such an amateur! Thanks for all helpful advice, had forgotten re plastic shoes - will add an extra dimension if he's skidding around!

[nuttymummy]

Oh flip!! Thanks for the heads up! Have to say as far as I'm concerned a 3yo is fine without a buggy - it's my 1yo that's going to be the problem!! Managing her plus 3 & 5 year old going in & out of lessons is NOT! Something I'm looking forward to. Totally get what they are trying to achieve but still.....

[emibt4]

I completely agree with the policy of no buggies and wearing overshoe things in the changing rooms and am glad it has changed at the Latchmere - I couldn't understand why they were so relaxed in the first place, but I still fell into the habit of taking our buggy virtually to the poolside!

When I first saw the signs saying the rules had changed, I had a similiar dilema - I have 3 under 4 but only one of them does swimming lessons and getting her showered and changed is a struggle, whilst juggling the other kids, especially with no buggy to strap them into! I did try parking the other 2 kids in the little plastic cot/ playpen things, but they just screamed the place down. However, with a little help from the other mum's in the swimming class, we have managed to make it work, hopefully to everyone's advantage. Since the buggies have to be kept upstairs, we take it in turns to either be upstairs with the buggies and smaller kids in the playzone, or looking after the swimmers and getting them changed and showered.