Taking my kids to the pool? Let’s just say it’s not my idea of a good time. I’m fully aware that this might make me seem like a less-than-stellar mom. Summer is supposed to be all about flip-flops, chlorine, and that nostalgic scent of sunscreen. I get it. But if you’ve ever attempted a pool outing with little ones, you understand that the effort a mom puts in to get to the pool far outweighs any joy that comes from being there.
While other moms enthusiastically discuss summer plans and look forward to pool days—or worse, trips to the beach—I can’t help but wonder what they know that I don’t. Honestly, I have to say it: the pool is a hassle, and don’t even get me started on the beach.
Just last week, I lost my sanity momentarily and thought a trip to the pool would be the perfect way to kick off summer. The pool opens at 11 a.m., so preparations began at 10. First on the agenda? The sunscreen struggle. This involves finding and undressing the kids, holding them still, and applying creamy sunscreen all over their delicate skin to protect them from the sun’s harsh rays. It’s advised to do this 20 to 30 minutes before heading out. My kids despise this process, so I’m always gearing up for a battle. And let me tell you, once they’re all greased up, they become slippery little fish.
Naturally, I’m already dressed in my latest postpartum swimwear (wink wink) and have applied SPF 50 on myself as well. I can’t reach my back, so I’m bracing for a burn—all for the kids, right?
I also need to pack a stash of snacks and drinks to keep us at the pool long enough to make the trek worthwhile—preferably something healthy and easy to munch on without utensils. Organic carrot sticks and homemade hummus should do the trick. I’ll pop those into my lightweight cooler (since I’m the only adult navigating this chaos).
Finally, we arrive at the pool. I unbuckle car seats, gather my purse, diaper bag, slow-moving 18-month-old, and cooler, and trek across the blazing asphalt to that so-called paradise: The Pool. I hand my passes to the teenage gatekeeper, who interrogates me about the number of swim diapers I’ve brought, as if this is a high-stakes situation.
Can we take a moment to discuss swim diapers? They’re the bane of every toddler mom’s existence. They claim to allow your child to pee or poop without contaminating the pool, but we all know they can only handle one small pee before they’re rendered useless. So, we wait until the last possible moment to put them on.
Upon arrival, I scan the crowded pool deck and spot the only available lounge chair. The kids dash for it, and we all squeeze together on those scorching plastic slats to unload our gear. Towels come out, shoes come off, swim diapers go on, and I reapply sunscreen before giving the green light to jump into the water.
Are you still with me? The fun is just starting.
Inevitably, five minutes into swimming, the whistle blows for adult swim. At 11 a.m. on a Tuesday, really? The only adults in the pool are the moms with toddlers glued to their sagging one-pieces. We drag our kids out, exchanging eye rolls while waiting for the break to end.
Fast forward to noon, and it’s time for snacks and a potty break. Getting a swim diaper off my 3-year-old and back on his wet legs is an exercise in patience. And what’s that look on my 18-month-old’s face? Oh no, not now! She’s pooping in the swim diaper. Fantastic. Now I have to wrangle both kids and the diaper bag into the tiny pool bathroom, get a wet swimsuit off my girl, keep my curious 3-year-old from touching everything (“please don’t touch anything!”), clean her up, and put on a fresh swim diaper. Did I mention the humidity in this tiny bathroom? It’s like being in a sauna.
Two hours into this circus, I’m exhausted, the kids are looking too rosy, and I decide it’s time to call it quits. While a mom with older kids might toss some towels at them and head back to the car, a toddler mom has to prepare for nap time. I change the kids out of their swimsuits (and swim diapers) and dress them in regular clothes again. As for myself? I’ll just deal with a wet bottom in the car.
Thankfully, we’re home 15 minutes later. The little ones have dozed off in the car, so I carry them back to bed and collapse on the couch, my hair a tangled mess and my cover-up sticking to my sunburned back. I pray for long naps and drift off to sleep alongside them.
So, dear friends, if you invite me and my crew to the pool one day, please don’t take it personally if I decline. We’ll be enjoying the sprinkler for the rest of the summer.
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Summary
Taking young kids to the pool can be a stressful ordeal filled with sunscreen struggles, diaper dilemmas, and the chaos of managing toddlers in a crowded environment. The effort often outweighs the enjoyment, leaving many moms to prefer simpler summer activities like playing in the sprinkler.