How do I protect my child when a group at the swimming pool taunts from the side? 

Parenting Perspective 

Water should mean freedom — splashing, laughter, and fun. But when a group of children stands at the pool’s edge, taunting or shouting names, that sense of safety disappears. For a parent, watching your child’s joy replaced by shame or anxiety can feel helpless. The key is to protect your child emotionally and physically without escalating tension, teaching them calm courage and self-respect even in public spaces. 

Step One: Ensure Immediate Safety 

First, prioritise your child’s comfort. Move closer or position yourself where they can see you. Your presence alone often brings relief and deters unkind behaviour. If the taunting continues, signal to your child with reassurance: 

“You’re doing fine — stay calm and keep swimming. I’m right here.” 

Your calm body language tells your child they are not alone and that the situation can be handled with composure. 

Step Two: Remove Them Without Shame 

If the teasing becomes intense or personal, guide your child out of the pool quietly, not in panic or anger. Say something soft like: 

“Let’s take a short break, and then we’ll decide what’s next.” 

This gives them dignity. The goal is to show that leaving isn’t defeat — it’s protection. Once they’re calm, decide together whether to return or to seek help from staff. 

Step Three: Involve Pool Staff Calmly 

Approach the nearest lifeguard or supervisor and explain clearly: 

“There’s a group taunting my child from the side of the pool. Could someone please address it?” 

Keep your tone polite but firm. This shows your child how to advocate for fairness with respect, not rage. It also ensures authority handles the behaviour instead of you having to confront the other children directly. 

Step Four: Teach Your Child Grounded Responses 

Once emotions have cooled, teach simple, composed replies your child can use if they’re addressed again: 

“Please stop saying that.” or “I’m here to swim, not argue.” 

Then have them swim away or focus back on their activity. Calm neutrality signals confidence and denies the bullies attention — their greatest reward. 

Step Five: Rebuild Confidence After the Incident 

When you’re home, talk openly but gently: 

“It’s upsetting when people act like that, but their behaviour doesn’t decide your worth.” 

Help your child process that they did nothing wrong, and praise their self-control: 

“You handled it with calm — that’s real strength.” 

Encourage returning to the pool soon after. Avoid letting fear associate permanently with that space. Familiarity and confidence rebuild comfort faster than avoidance. 

Step Six: Reflect on Boundaries and Dignity 

Use the experience to teach your child about personal dignity — that they don’t need others’ approval to belong. You might say: 

“Sometimes people mock what they don’t understand. You don’t have to prove yourself to anyone. Staying kind and composed is enough.” 

Spiritual Insight 

Islam places high value on composure, self-control, and responding to hurt with grace. Being mocked in public can feel humiliating, but patience and restraint are forms of strength that elevate a believer above the mockery of others. 

Responding with Peace in the Noble Quran 

Allah Almighty states in the noble Quran at Surah Al Furqaan (25), Verse 63: 

‘And the true servants of the One Who is Most Beneficent are those who wander around the Earth with humility; and when they are addressed by the ignorant people, they say: “Peace be unto you”.’ 

This verse captures the ideal response — calm dignity. When your child refuses to shout back or retaliate, they reflect the faith of those who respond to ignorance with serenity, not anger. 

Protection Through Gentleness in the Teachings of the Holy Prophet Muhammad ﷺ 

It is recorded in Sahih Muslim, Hadith 2594, that the holy Prophet Muhammad ﷺ said: 

‘Gentleness is not found in anything except that it beautifies it, and it is not removed from anything except that it makes it defective.’ 

This Hadith shows that gentle strength beautifies every situation, even conflict. By staying composed at the pool — neither angry nor afraid — you and your child preserve dignity, which Allah Almighty honours far more than retaliation. 

When you handle such moments with steady calm, your child learns that safety isn’t only about being protected — it’s about feeling protected. They see that composure and faith can outshine any cruelty hurled their way. 

In time, they’ll understand that dignity isn’t lost through mockery but proven through patience. And through your guidance, they’ll carry that truth wherever they go — swimming in the confidence that kindness, restraint, and trust in Allah Almighty are the strongest shields of all.