Summer is here and I know a lot of our days will involve the pool. As a mom of 4, I am always looking for ways to make my life easier, more organized, less chaotic…..aka better. What mom isn’t!!?  I am always racking my brain like crazy trying to figure out what I should/shouldn’t do to make the poolside days fun for all, and so that I can leave and still keep my sanity (and dignity……I can sho nuff turn into scary mommy by the end of a pool day).

My children’s ages range from 16-2, so I have had experience with every age in between birth and 16…I can tell you that the 8 year old is getting easier, but the 16 year old is by far the easiest one to take to the pool….that is, if she will even go with me (she thinks she’s too cool). If you’re wanting a relaxing, vacay type pool day…you’ll have to wait until your babies are at least 16….bc guess what, when something isn’t exactly how they want it, they learn to deal bc they’re too embarrassed to cry or pitch fits and have melt downs. and you can threaten them with taking their phone, and ohhhhh how they act like angels when you threaten to take their phone…..mom psychology 101.

So for all kids ages 14 and under….here are a few myths I have debunked for you to save you lots of trouble and to bust a few bubbles.

MYTH No 1

• Pack Lots of toys

…like all the toys you can fit into 3 huge bags –Because all moms love getting a workout in or throwing their back out lugging around 3 50lb bag of toys, and chasing around all of the other kids at the pool that “steal” the toys from your child, even though your’s didn’t even want that toy the 80 times you offered it to them. But By God they’re going to want it when another kid shows some interest, I can assure you. But, I feel you. You were just trying to bring all you could to make this pool day better, more fun, less stressful for you. In this case, Don’t listen to Iris Apfel in this case. In this case….Less is MORE.

LIFE CHANGING TRUTH TIP NO 1 – Limit the toys to two per child (one per child if you have 3 or more) Let them pick out their toy/toys so that there is no confusion when you get there about who wanted that toy. THEY PICKED IT, AND THAT’S WHAT THEY GET.

My two year old (George) loves these toys by Greentoys and they keep him busy almost the entire time. And they float.

GREEN TOYS BATH TOYS ARE THE BEST FOR THE POOL FOR BOYS. THESE ARE OUR FAVS HERE ,  HERE  ,   HERE  , AND HERE

Instead, save some space in your bag for packing a few extra towels. It never fails that at some point one kid gets their towel extra wet bc they’re in and out of the pool 70 times (probably looking for snacks – this is for you vera) –  and when it is finally time to dry off  their towel is “disgusting”. You can’t steal from a sibling bc that’s “not fair”. Just bring a few extra towels and save yourself from hearing another meltdown.

MYTH NO 2

•  Pack lots of snacks

……again because we love to load multiple bags down to carry and waste food over here. It doesn’t matter if you pack the whole freakin’ pantry, they’re always going to want the one thing you didn’t pack. Even if it’s peanut butter crackers, and you’ve actually packed some, that particular pack of peanut butter crackers wasn’t the exact one they were wanting. Or they want what another child is eating, Or the $23 popsicle/icecream from the pool cabana. AND THE WET HANDS……It never fails that my kids go searching for the food and dig in with the wet hands and then you might as well chunk it because in 5.5 seconds it’s turning into a soggy mess.

Instead, limit the snacks you bring to 2 max per child….or bring a little variety of snacks in a snack box like this for each child that has their name on it so there is no confusion about who’s whose.

THESE CUTE LITTLE SNACK CONTAINER ARE FROM STICKING SOUTHERN

and bring drinks in an insulated cup to keep them cool.

Bring a drink and snack for yourself too – and by drink, I mean water.

Bring some cash, if the pool has a cabana with food. It’s the best bribery tool around. I’m always using it as a behavior reward at the end of the pool day.

MYTH NO 3

• Bring a book they said…..I can get some reading in they said. 

– If you have children ages birth to even 16 and you truly thought you’re about to sit down at a pool and catch up on some summer reading….

TRUTH TIP NO 3 – Instead of remembering to pack a book, you might want to make sure you don’t forget these items instead….

1. Sunscreen – You will be lathering this on about 30 times during your pool stay so make sure its a good one and goes on with the least amount of mess possible. I like these by SuperGoop.

Mineral Sunscreen dries clear – SUPERGOOP Love this stick by SUPERGOOP

2. Bandaids – You know someone is going to scrape some limb while they’re running around the pool (no matter how many times you tell them to walk or slow down). The last thing you want to do is try to get everyone out and take them all on a hunt for a bandaid.

3. Ziplock bags for wet items or waterproof pouches

3. Pack an extra swim suit for each child……..you never know when one will poop in the pool.

4. on that note, pack some extra swim diapers and waterproof pants if your child is in diapers…it helps just in case.

5. Pajamas for each child….if you plan to spend all day or at least the afternoon half of the day at the pool and they have at least a hose to rinse the pool water off, bring their pjs. It never fails that when we leave the pool after 5, one passes out. If they’re already in their pajamas, there’s no having to wake up for a bath. Easy car to bed transfer.

myth no 4

•  I’m not getting in the pool today

so I’m going to wear this cute swimsuit thats only comfortable laying around and soaking up some sun in………..

via GIPHY

OH NO YOU DIDN’T JUST THINK THAT. NO YOU DIDN’T

Girl, you’re getting in that pool, you can think you’re not all you want, those kids will have you in that pool 10 min after arrival. Whether its a drowning scare, false poop alert, or you refereeing a pool toy tug of war, you gettin in. Also, you’ll be so flippin’ hot, you’ll want to get in and then once you get in, it’s game on….they’ll see you from a mile away and then  So you might as well prepare for it.

TRUTH TIP NO 4 – Wear a comfortable suit with coverage that doesn’t quit on you mid pool day. It can still be cute but make sure it will hold all your ISH in no matter the position you find yourself….and when you’re wrangling/playing with kids at a pool, you can find yourself in some pretty compromising positions…..hello pool slide….so having a swimsuit that won’t let you down is crucial.

I am loving the high waisted swim suits, but have had a hard time finding one with booty coverage that I like. Most that I tried were brazilian cut which might as well be a thong on me. And let me tell you how to rock a thong at the pool with your kids…….YOU DON’T!!! This one met all of my coverage requirements and it’s still super cute! Can be worn on or off the shoulder.

SUIT – TULAROSA HERE AND HERE | SUNGLASSES JIMMY CHOO | BRACELETS SPROUTS DESIGNS HERE | NECKLACE IS SPROUTS DESIGNS HERE ICE-CREAM SUIT BY SALEPIMENTA HERE | HAT IS OLD BUT SIMILAR HERE AND HERE

Get in and have fun with your babies…make memories….plus wearing them out at the pool means they will sleep well!

MYTH NO 5

• I’m not going to get my hair wet TODAY

……again…see # 4. You’re getting your hair wet….and your face, It never fails as soon as I get in, someone decides to do a canon ball 2 inches from me. So if you must, wear waterproof mascara or just don’t even bother putting makeup on at all! It’s all going to run off any ways.

TRUTH TIP NO 5 – Bring extra pony tail holders…..its the pitts when you’re adjusting your hair to put back up and the pony tail holder breaks……there’s nothing worse than trying to deal with kids in a pool with your hair all in your face looking like a wet rat. Also bring a hat….gives off a chic mom vibe while covering that wet mess of some hair underneath. Don’t forget to put sunscreen on your face. And if you do need some kind of powder, thats easy to reapply, try these.

This one is a setting powder so no tint by SUPERGOOP Comes in a few tints to match your skin tone Get it HERE

other products I love for pool days

IMMA KEEP IT REAL – Pool days are chaotic, hectic, exhausting, but they’re so much fun if you can get past trying to be perfect. Get in the pool with those babies and make the best of it. Make memories and be present. There will come a time (and with a 16 year old, I know) when your babies no longer ask you to get in the pool with them, you’re no longer lathering them up with 50 applications of sunscreen bc they can do it on their own, they no longer need you to be at their side when they’re jumping from the diving board, they no longer need you to be there to watch them swim under the water. Enjoy this because I promise, you blink and its over. Enjoy the pool days of Summer!!

XO,

Victoria

BOY ICE-CREAM SUIT BY SALEPIMENTA HERE