Summer is upon us, and while many parents are raving about the joys of poolside fun, I must admit, I find taking my kids to the pool to be a major hassle. Yes, I know this may make me sound like a bad parent, but hear me out. The essence of summer is supposed to be flip-flops, chlorine, and that comforting scent of sunscreen. However, if you’ve ever attempted to wrangle toddlers at a pool, you understand that the effort involved far outweighs any potential enjoyment.
Everywhere I look, fellow moms are eagerly planning their pool and beach outings, and I can’t help but wonder what secret they possess that I’m missing. After all, I’m sorry, but for me, pool trips are just not enjoyable.
Just last week, in a moment of weakness, I thought a pool visit would kick off our summer on a high note. The pool opens at 11 a.m., which meant I had to start the prep work an hour earlier. First on the agenda: the sunscreen struggle. This is the chaotic dance of stripping down my kids, pinning them down, and lathering them with that thick, white lotion to protect their delicate skin from the blazing sun. They love this part—said no parent ever. And of course, they manage to slip away just as I think I’m making progress.
By the time we’re finally ready to go, I’m decked out in my best postpartum swimwear (you know what I mean) and have generously coated myself in SPF 50. But I can’t reach my back, so here’s hoping I don’t end up with a sunburn.
Next, I have to pack a variety of snacks and drinks to ensure we can remain at the pool for longer than 45 minutes. Nutrient-rich options that are easy to eat without utensils—think organic carrot sticks and homemade hummus—make the ideal choice. Into my small cooler they go, and I’m the only adult responsible for this poolside adventure.
Eventually, we arrive at the pool. After unbuckling car seats and grabbing my essentials—a purse, a diaper bag, a slow-moving toddler, and a cooler—I march across the scorching pavement toward what many call paradise: The Pool. I hand my passes to the teenage gatekeeper, who interrogates me about the number and type of swim diapers I’ve brought along.
Can we take a moment to discuss swim diapers? They’re supposed to allow your child to pee or poop without contaminating the pool, yet every toddler mom knows they’re only good for one tiny pee before they require a change. Therefore, I always wait until the last minute to put it on.
Upon entering, I notice the deck is packed, with only one lounge chair available. The kids dash for it, and we all squeeze together on the sizzling plastic to unload our gear. Towels out, shoes off, swim diapers on, and a fresh layer of sunscreen before I finally give them the green light to jump in.
But just five minutes in, the dreaded whistle blows for adult swim. Seriously? At 11 a.m. on a Tuesday? The only adults in the pool are mothers like me, with toddlers glued to their sides, so we reluctantly drag our little ones out and exchange eye rolls until the break is over.
Fast forward to noon, and it’s time for food and a bathroom break. Getting a swim diaper off my 3-year-old and back on again is a test of patience. And just when I think we’re in the clear, I spot the telltale face of my 18-month-old. No, no, no! An accident in the swim diaper means I have to navigate both kids and a diaper bag to the cramped pool bathroom, all while reminding my curious 3-year-old not to touch anything. The humidity levels in that tiny stall? It’s like the Amazon rainforest.
After two hours of this chaos, I’m exhausted, and my kids are starting to look a little too pink. Time to call it a day. While a mom of older kids might just toss towels at them and head back to the car, a toddler mom has to prepare for naptime. I wrestle the kids out of their wet suits and into regular clothes. As for myself? I’ll deal with a damp backside on the drive home.
Finally, we get back, and the little ones fall asleep in the car. I manage to carry them to their beds and collapse on the couch, my hair a tangled mess and my cover-up clinging to my sunburned skin. I pray for long naps and drift off, dreaming of a summer spent playing in the sprinkler instead.
So, dear friends, if you ever invite me and my crew to the pool, please don’t take it personally if I decline. We’ll stick to our backyard splashes for the rest of the season. For more about summer activities and parenting tips, check out one of our other helpful posts here.
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In summary, the pool may be a beloved summer destination for many, but for this mom, it’s a battlefield. I’ll take the sprinkler over the pool chaos any day!
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