[gasgirl]

SIL is buying these for my DDs age 4 and 7 for Christmas

http://oceanikamerfins.com/welcome-to-oceanika

my girls are adequate swimmers for their age, and are safe under supervision in our backyard pool

I think this looks dangerous. It's basically taking a 4 yr old and putting her in water with her ankles tied together.
I wasn't asked if this would be an ok gift for the girls (never am) and when I voiced my concerns to hubby he said he would call SIL. Which he didn't for 3 days and now she has bought them. And is planning to give them regardless.

Hubby says i can always not let the girls use them unless we are in the pool with them but anyone with young girls knows that you can't give a mermaid fin to a 4 or 7 yr old and then expect to take it away without tears. They will love them.

So what should I do? should I tell SIL that this is a big NO and she should return them? or do you think I am being overly cautious and girls of this age should be ok with Merfins? THey are never unsupervised in the pool but often swim with us watching from the kitchen or back yard (a matter of metres away).
I do not like to be the enemy of fun but my girls' safety comes first.

[gasgirl]

any experience with this toy would be appreciated. Rawr I think it looks dumb too but I am thinking as an adult not as a seven yr old. Even on land they wouldn't be able to walk. Let alone the cost .

This post has been edited by gasgirl: 21/11/2012, 11:22 AM

[Becky Thatcher]

It scares the crap out of me, but I have a drowning 'thing'

[MissM86]

Looks really dangerous, not to mention ridiculous! I wouldn't let the girls wear them because if they panicked (sp?) under water things could go wrong really quickly.

[gasgirl]

nothing wrong with a drowning thing. I hate family conflict but this is something i think i need to make a stand on.

[Broxie]

Looks dangerous to me and I'm one of the most relaxed parents out. Not appropriate or safe.

[girltribe4]

My girls would love these , shame I already have their Christmas presents !!

They already wear fins for swimming lessons and in Grandma's pool , these are pretty similar just stuck together . You do need a lot of strength to swim with them though so it would make a difference if they were ''heavy'' ??
I would be fine for my older girls to wear them for supervised pool play My 4yr old is no where near a strong enough swimmer .

[Sunnycat]

I think one would have to be a really good swimmer and supervised if using these. They don't look very safe.

[RobotFerretOfDoo...]

I think they could be very dangerous, particularly for young children who aren't confident swimmers.

I'd definitely be pushing back on this.

[Brattacino]

Can't see that they'd be a drowning hazard. Ankles/feet are not strapped in and feet could easily be slipped out (it's just just like a rubber sandal). That said, I'd certainly be supervising with young kids.. especially your 4 year old and making sure she's comfortable with sliding her feet in and out (personally it wouldn't even stay on my 5 year old's feet as the smallest size is size 11). Your 7 year old should have no issues Anyway, if you are not keen on using it in the pool they would make great dress-ups (but not good value compared to a normal pool fin set (and even a snorkel/mask) which are far more useful and just as fun if you ask me).

They sure are pricey too given how quickly kids grow!