Advice for our July 4 party?

[NyaChan]

I'll admit, I'm surprised at the responses. Is it the new norm to hire professional lifeguards at a private pool party with less than 10 kids? Maybe it's because I grew up in Florida, where pools are a dime a dozen, but that sounds bizarre to me.

I've never heard of this being done for small parties at home either, but I guess more safety is never a bad thing.  We usually just check with all the parents to make sure that their kid can swim/tread water and then make sure parents know that they can't leave their kids outside unsupervised.  Best to have parents in the pool with the kids too just in case and some floatation devices to grab onto. 

[siamesecat2965]

I'll admit, I'm surprised at the responses. Is it the new norm to hire professional lifeguards at a private pool party with less than 10 kids? Maybe it's because I grew up in Florida, where pools are a dime a dozen, but that sounds bizarre to me.

I've never heard of this being done for small parties at home either, but I guess more safety is never a bad thing.  We usually just check with all the parents to make sure that their kid can swim/tread water and then make sure parents know that they can't leave their kids outside unsupervised.  Best to have parents in the pool with the kids too just in case and some floatation devices to grab onto.

And not to put a damper on things, but should you hire a lifeguard, and something happens, my guess would be, you'd still be liable, even with a "real" lifeguard there.  So you might want to re-think like you said you and your DH were discussing.  It's probably easier to have families over to swim etc. on a one on one basis, rather than a large party, where there could be lots of little kids in and out of hte pool all day.

[workerbee]

OP here. We're both lawyers, so pretty familiar with the potential for liability.  I make it a habit to ensure that I (or another responsible adult) am in the pool any time one of my kids is swimming, and I generally make the same expectation clear to my friends.  That way no one adult gets stuck in the pool with 5 kids.....

I didn't mean for this thread to turn into Pool Safety 101 (although of course I appreciate the suggestions!), so I'm going to try to get it back on track....I'm sending out the invitations today! We're going to invite about 10 couples, and one family with kids the same ages as my sons. In truth, I think my kids (aged 2 and 4) get overwhelmed when ALL of their friends are around anyway.

Party will be from 12-4pm.  We'll probably start the grill around 12:30 or so.  Loose plan:have lunch, play in the pool, have dessert and wrap it up! So, the menu:

Hot dogs
Buns
Ketchup/mustard/relish
Chili & slaw (we are in NC after all)
Potato chips
Baked beans (I have a recipe for a really yummy baked bean casserole)
some kind of salad.... I make a good corn/black bean salad....might be too much on the beans?
watermelon

dessert:
ice cream
banana pudding?

drinks:
iced tea
lemonade
water
likely a selection of beer/wine

Advice? Any suggestions for a really yummy side salad? I'm trying to keep it rather light -- am not a big fan of mayo-based salads like potato salad, etc.  I have a killer recipe for banana pudding that I've been dying to make, but I feel like having that and ice cream is too much -- any thoughts on one or the other?

Thanks for everything!

[lowspark]

I'd skip the corn/black bean salad, in fact, I probably wouldn't do any kind of salad. You have slaw to fill that slot. Instead, I'd do a fresh fruit salad or really just have grapes, strawberries, watermelon, etc. (whatever's on sale that week)  available for munching. Or, if you really do feel the need for more fresh veggies, I'd just do cut up raw veggies with a ranch dip.

[sparksals]

I don't know that I would ask people to bring sides.

I'm not sure why . . . maybe because it's your first party with these people? Maybe that's a bit weird. But that's just me.

Of course, if anybody offers to bring something, there's absolutely nothing wrong with taking them up on their offer.

I don't think your menu needs to be extensive . . . plenty of hotdogs, chips/dips, beans, probably a potato salad and/or a coleslaw (make sure you have a way to chill these all afternoon) or a fresh-veggie tray  . . . add a sliced watermelon with the ice cream and you're good to go.



Great idea on hiring the babysitter for the pool area!

HOWEVER! Does she have any life guarding experience/training? Make sure the parents know that she is not solely responsible for their kids . . . Let the parents know that if their child is in the water, they need to be in attendance as well. (Water safety is extremely scary with little ones.*)

Make sure your babysitter is well supplied with fresh drinking water and that she gets a short break every hour or so.

Also, you might want to have a supply of sunscreen on hand.



*I, too, had to jump into a pool fully clothed while my DDs were being "watched" one-on-one by two teens. The one teen watching DD#2 (3yrs) swam away to grab a ball, leaving DD#2 sitting on the in-water steps. When I looked up DD#2 had her head under water and her arms out, several feet away from the steps. Yes. Probably the scariest moment in my life.

And, yes. I posted that to scare you. It only takes a moment.

I was going to post the same thing.  I dont think it is due diligence enough to hire a teen to watch the children in the pool.  Ultimately, you are responsible should anything happen.  Since you will be busy hosting you may want to hire an official safeguard.  Many people don't realize the TRUE signs of someone drowning....certainly not a teenager.   http://mariovittone.com/2010/05/154/  read this.  It is very eye opening about the myth of how a person looks drowning. 

While the pool is a fun thing to have, it is also a liability.  With so many people, you havevto ensure your butt is covered.  Before any pool parties, you really should consult a lawyer.  It is the reality of having a pool. 

[sparksals]

I'll admit, I'm surprised at the responses. Is it the new norm to hire professional lifeguards at a private pool party with less than 10 kids? Maybe it's because I grew up in Florida, where pools are a dime a dozen, but that sounds bizarre to me.

Considering the number of drownings at parties like this, it is all too common.   It Is a huge problem in AZ and im sure in FL too.

[POF]

I make my potato sald with honey mustard vinagrette. ( potato. red onion, green beans, egg ane Newmans honey mustard light with just one small spoon of mayo )

Broccoli Salad is also a favorite.

Sliced tomatoes, cucumbers and vidalia onions with a ligth vinagrette is also popular.

[jpcher]

some kind of salad.... I make a good corn/black bean salad....might be too much on the beans?

There's a lot of good recipes for different, yummy salads in this thread: http://www.etiquettehell.com/smf/index.php?topic=117170.0

I like lowspark's suggestion. Go with a big bowl/tray of fresh fruit, in season, without cutting it up into a salad . . . bananas, grapes, strawberries, cantaloupe wedges, peaches, sliced kiwi, etc.

I also like the idea of a veggie tray.

This way people can nibble instead of having to have a fork and plate.



What is Chili and Slaw? Do you mix the two together?






workerbee -- I have to apologize because I was a big part of the thread derailment. Sorry! Your last post was nicely done and to the point . . . let's get back on topic.

[workerbee]

Fruit and veggie trays would be simple to pull together -- thanks for the suggestion! I don't know why I didn't think of that. Plus my kids are more likely to eat fruits and veggies separately -- they'll eat avocado all day long, but if I mix it into a green salad? They'll pick around and act as if they've never seen anything like it before! 

Chili & slaw - *sigh* - my darling, ever-so-Southern husband introduced me to this culinary tradition. The chili is a basic ground beef-and-sauce, NO BEANS (according to him).  Around here you can buy it in cans or fresh at the local grocery. And slaw is regular old mayo-based coleslaw. People put it on hot dogs and burgers.....not mixed together, just as a topping (the way I would use lettuce and tomato).  I don't understand why people use meat as a condiment for.....meat, but there you go! I am forever planning cookouts and DH will suddenly remind me, "where's the chili and slaw??"

[Sophia]

... I don't understand why people use meat as a condiment for.....meat, but there you go! ...

More meat!  Where is the downside?

[Hmmmmm]

I think the menu is great with the additon of the fruit salad or tray.

And if you're having chili for the hot dogs, I'd aslo have some shredded cheese available. 

I'm from the south too, and didn't realize people actually ate hotdogs that weren't topped with chili and cheese until  was around 10 or so.  The first time I saw someone eating a hot dog with just mustard and ketchup actually made me a little sad.   

[workerbee]

Oh, I always forget the cheese too! Every time my husband's best friend comes over, I catch him rooting around in the fridge for cheese to add to his chili-topped hot dog.

I'm a simple ketchup & mustard girl.  Maybe slaw and mustard if I'm feeling frisky. 

[Sophia]

Don't know if you'd want this for your party.  But, for those that think hot dogs can be overwhelmed by the bread, tortillas make an excellent substitute.  Little harder to eat, particularly with chili.

[NotTheNarcissist]

Since I don't like bananas I would opt for the ice cream so no the 2 desserts are not too much.

I make a fruit salsa that rocks. Served with cinnamon chips. People go crazy over it.

[artk2002]

Thanks all! These are great suggestions so far -- I like the idea of a lifeguard. It had occurred to me, with toddlers running around. The pool itself has a safety fence (in addition to the fenced backyard), but you can never be too careful! I'm usually pretty vigilant, but will likely be distracted with hosting duties, etc. I'm sure one of our regular babysitters would be interested in a little extra cash....

Unless your babysitter has experience in being a lifeguard, I'd go visit a local community pool and ask there. Or check to see if there's a Junior Lifeguard program with some graduates who would be old enough. You don't want to hear "It sounded like easy money -- I don't really swim that well." An untrained lifeguard can put themselves and the person they're trying to save in great danger.

(It wasn't a worry for us, because our pool was used by my Boy Scout troop for Lifesaving and Swimming merit badge training.)

Edit: D'oh. That's what I get for not reading the whole thread -- other people have explained the issues quite well ahead of me.