Dear Urban Diplomat: Should I let my negligent neighbour supervise my son?

Dear Urban Diplomat,
My six-year-old went to Cherry Beach with his best friend and his best friend’s mom. She let the boys go swimming, even though there was a sign warning of risk of infection, and now my kid has swimmer’s ear. When I brought it up, she said the flags are just suggestions, and that “a little infection will put hair on his chest.” I was shocked. I no longer feel comfortable letting her supervise my son, but the boys are joined at the hip. What should I do?
—Adult Supervision Required, Distillery District

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Your parenting philosophies are clearly oceans apart, and you could argue ideology until your kids are finished university. Instead, bring the facts. At the next play date, gently but matter-of-factly let her know that those warnings are not a kinda-sorta suggestion. They indicate a high level of bacteria in the water, which can lead to a whole slew of nasty after-effects, including diarrhea and, yes, swimmer’s ear. If she doesn’t get the point, you can pull up the Toronto Public Health website on your phone for a handy, if smug, visual aid. Introduce a simple rule for future play dates: if the health authorities say no, so do you. If she balks, well, you’ll just have to start hosting the play dates yourself.

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