I took my three-year-old son to the Rocky Run YMCA...

I took my three-year-old son to the Rocky Run YMCA yesterday and was refused by an older lady at the front desk, after she asked what we would do at the YMCA and I answered "my son will swim".

She said that according to the policy I am not allowed to enter the swimming pool with my son with his Youth membership ($26 per month), except when he is attending the swimming lessons.

I understand that and said that I will only watch him play in the water in the shallow area and will not go into the pool, she still refused us in. So my son and I returned home.

What most frustrated me is not my being refused in the pool (I know the lady is just trying to follow the policy), but:

1. Is the policy really that the guardian is not allowed to enter the swimming pool with his/her little one's Youth membership?

For two- or three-year-old kids, they need their parent with them at all times, whether in the pool or in the gym.

If your policy says that the guardian is not allowed to enter the pool to accompany a child with a Youth membership, it should be implemented consistently and should NOT treat people differently.

However, the truth is that I know a number of families who also have only the Youth membership for their children but have never been asked not to enter the pool before, regardless of being refused to enter the gym. Actually my two friends with a Youth membership went to the pool with their kids so frequently that their kids have learned how to swim during the past two months.

2. What are the benefits of the Youth membership for a two- or three-year-old child?

Are the only benefits to register for the classes?

Are they allowed to play in the kid's area in addition to that?

Even though I explained to the lady at the front desk that I will only watch my son play in the water in the shallow area or play in the kids area and will not enter the pool, she still refused us in.

I am not sure whether this is because she did not really understand me (my spoken English is heavily accented), or she meant to do so. Anyway, my son was refused any service yesterday, although he has a Youth membership ($26 per month). We felt so frustrated and upset while I drove home about 20 mins' drive away. The whole day was ruined.

We have only been able to visit Rocky Run YMCA a couple of times since this February due to my busy work schedule.

We deserve an explanation!!!