Entitled mom demands that children stop using the main pool because her kid failed the required swim test: 'Or you could teach him how to swim'

Author image for Celeste Mello
Celeste Mello • Writer and Editor
Aug 13, 2026 6:30 PM EDT

At summer camp, swim tests are meant for the kids' safety. All parents want is for their kids to have fun and be safe at the same time. But an entitled mom dares to ask every other kid not to enjoy the main pool just because her kid can't use it.

Reasonably enough, before using the main pool, each kid has to pass a swimming test at this summer camp. Those who pass can move between the main pool, the shallow pool, and the splash pad, while those who don't are limited to the two shallower areas. Staff members are responsible for keeping an entire group of children safe around water, so it's a good thing that they require a swim test. Apparently, for a mother whose kid failed the test, this rule is not so fair. 

A Reddit user posted this story in the r/EntitledPeople subreddit, commenting on how ridiculous it was for the mother to approach other parents and ask them to ban their kids from the main pool area because her kid couldn't use it, and seeing his friends use the pool was making him sad. Excuse me? Alright, her child is allowed to feel sad, and nobody likes missing out on something fun. But why should all the other kids lose access to the main pool? They proved they could swim safely. Making them stay in the shallow end wouldn't help her son pass the test next time. In fact, it would only make his disappointment everybody else's responsibility. And more importantly, her child needs someone to help him learn. She could enroll him in swimming lessons so that he can participate in all the fun.

That's what a good parent accurately suggested: swimming lessons, because she had the same complaint last year. Instead of asking other families to restrict their children, help your kid practice. The world won't stop for your son. You have to help him handle disappointment and work toward joining the other kids next time.

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  • A kid swimming in a pool after completing a required summer camp swim test.
    via Unsplash+ (April Walker)

    A kid swimming in a pool after completing a required summer camp swim test.

    Not actual story subjects.

  • Nobody should be swimming

    Its summer camp and several times a week they pile the kids onto a bus to go swimming at a local pool. To be able to swim
    via Wakemeup3000
  • in the main pool the kids have to take a swimming test. If they pass they get to use the main pool plus
    via Wakemeup3000
  • the splash pad and the shallow pool area. If they don't then they are
    via Wakemeup3000
  • A yellow school bus representing summer campers traveling to a local swimming pool.
    via Unsplash+ (Bruno Guerrero)

    A yellow school bus representing summer campers traveling to a local swimming pool.

    Stock photo unrelated.

  • Fair enough. No test, no deep end.

    restricted to the splash pad and shallow pool only.
    via Wakemeup3000
  • The kids all take the test and a couple of them don't pass so they are restricted. Everyone else
    via Wakemeup3000
  • is bouncing between all 3 of the areas so for the most part everyone is playing together on and off the entire time.
    via Wakemeup3000
  • Swimmers in a local pool, illustrating the main pool that an entitled mom wanted every kid to avoid.
    via Unsplash+ (Skytech Aviation)

    Swimmers in a local pool, illustrating the main pool that an entitled mom wanted every kid to avoid.

    Representative only.

  • But of course entitled mom who's kid didn't pass the test starts letting all the parents at drop off know that they should tell
    via Wakemeup3000

  • Karens gonna Karen

    their children not to go in the main pool since her precious didn't pass the test. Its making their child
    via Wakemeup3000
  • feel sad that they can't be with their friends in the main pool. Chef's kiss to
    via Wakemeup3000

  • The child needs lessons, not special treatment.

    the parent who replied, 'Or you could teach him how to swim because you had the same complaint last year.'
    via Wakemeup3000
  • MsMarisol2023 If they're already at the pool, why not enroll your kid in swim lessons?!?
    via MsMarisol2023
  • Lt_Schaffer I have told my children swimming is a life skilll. Each one got lessons as soon as they were potty trained.
    via Lt_Schaffer
  • bananatanan Went to our local pond/water park and was shocked at the amount of kids who couldn't swim. Mine are in swim lessons and wore life jackets to the pond. Another mom told me life jackets are too expensive...
    via bananatanan
  • Alarming_Paper_8357 I would have loved to see the look on her face after that zinger!
    via Alarming_Paper_8357
  • Gullible-Sort9161 I don't think I could send my kid who couldn't swim to a public pool if I couldn't be there to keep an eye on him. My brain wouldn't get a moment's rest until he came home safe.
    via Gullible-Sort9161
  • No1 Pound Pup Some people don't want to take responsibility for their short comings.
    via No1PoundPup
  • Successful_Image3354 "Teach him how to swim because..." Because it could be a matter of life ord th.
    via Successful_Image3354

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Tags

entitled parents summer camp kids summer entitled mom swim test parenting swimming pool camp activities pool rules children entitled people
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