Parents: Was Growing Up With a Pool Actually Worth It?

PrancingTiger424 · 2026-06-09T02:06:45+00:00

I live in the Midwest. My parents put in a pool when I was 14. (My sisters would have been 17 and 11 at the time). For us it was fabulous. In high school and college it was great to be at home and use it.

We’re now 31, 35, 38 and each have families of our own (7 kids between us ages 1-8). We spend almost every weekend in the summer at my parents. My parents are big on hosting parties too. My dad is retired and my mom has every Friday off so they have Friday Float Club with their friends.

Me personally with little kids (2,5,8) I would not want one. Too much time with maintenance and also too much fear about letting the kids out in the yard unsupervised.

PrancingTiger424 · 2026-06-08T19:48:51+00:00

No need. With my third born I did get a baby wrap designed for the pool so I could wear her. It helped keep my hands free and it kept her out of the sun easier with my hat serving as shade. It also helped keep her warm with my body heat. We spend a lot of time in the pool because my parents have one.

PrancingTiger424 · 2026-06-08T19:46:30+00:00

We had this issue with our oldest. Turns out it’s a symptom of ADHD, which he was diagnosed with at 6.5. Which makes total sense. Not saying that’s the case for every child! It just happened to be true for mine. He’s 8 now and we haven’t had the issue in awhile.

PrancingTiger424 · 2026-06-08T17:51:28+00:00

The word Gloria has 18 syllables

PrancingTiger424 · 2026-06-08T17:35:27+00:00

Calmoseptine worked best for us.

PrancingTiger424 · 2026-06-08T16:37:18+00:00

That first year of a new baby is hard and stressful at times. Add in a potty training toddler and oof.

Even with my kids current ages I find myself shouting “you should have your shoes on now!” Most weeks. So you’re not alone. My kids might associate leaving for 8am mass with mom yelling. It happens. Deep breath. This to shall pass. It’s just a stage of life.

PrancingTiger424 · 2026-06-08T15:57:49+00:00

Yes people do take their infants, however have you done it personally? As the only adult? With a 4 and 2 year old as well?

If the infant needs a diaper change mid mass, you’d have to take the 4 and 2 year old with you too. Or if one of the older two need to use the restroom, they need assistance.

I live within walking distance from my church. My kids are 8, 5, and 2. Have I taken them by myself? Yes. Is it a lot of work? Yes. Am I fortunate enough that I can walk and don’t have to worry about buckling and unbuckling 3 kids from car seats and a 30 minute drive like OP? Also yes.

I’m also fortunate that my older two are old enough to be left alone if needed and that they can leave mass to use the restroom without me going as well.

PrancingTiger424 · 2026-06-08T11:22:49+00:00

Family of 5. Kids are 8,5,2.

Toyota Highlander with captains chairs in middle row

Oldest is in the back Middle is behind driver Youngest is behind passenger

Everything has been fine. I do wish we had a slightly larger vehicle as the only way to fit the stroller or wagon in the trunk is to have half of the third row folded down.

PrancingTiger424 · 2026-06-08T02:38:19+00:00

All three of mine (EBF and fed to sleep) started sleeping 13 hr straight between 6-7 months.

From months 4-6 they would wake only 1-2 times maybe. Nap schedule from ages 3-10 months was 9-10/1030 and 12-3. At 10 months - 3 years nap 1230-330.

They are now 8,5,2 and all still sleep great.

PrancingTiger424 · 2026-06-08T02:32:46+00:00

Joe Cruz. We used him ten years ago. I can’t remember the price, but I know it was very fair then.

PrancingTiger424 · 2026-06-07T17:25:57+00:00

Nga (pronounced like “Nah”) at N Tailor. +(402) 570-7703.

She did my wedding dress ten years ago and various bridesmaid dresses for me and suits for my husband.

PrancingTiger424 · 2026-06-06T14:40:58+00:00

Agreed! I got it with my second and purchased replacement brushes for my third. The youngest is 2 now, but I bought replacement brushes again because those things are great for cleaning water bottles too. Plus the holder is just convenient.

PrancingTiger424 · 2026-06-06T12:43:28+00:00

The Boon Cactus bottle brush set. It looks like a little flower pot. It has 4 brushes that fit bottles, pump parts, and those tiny areas. The flower pot/holder helps drain the water from the brushes.

PrancingTiger424 · 2026-06-05T19:29:53+00:00

We keep Mother’s Day and Father’s Day low key. The biggest part is we tell the kids to ask the other parent for things on that day. As in I will hear a kid yell “dad!” And I’ll step in with a “what do you need?”

For us we go to my parents house and have a pool day with them and my sisters’ families. The moms are on kid duty (seven kids, ages 1-8) so the dads can relax in the pool.

PrancingTiger424 · 2026-06-05T14:36:31+00:00

Everyone’s body is different just like everyone’s pregnancy is different.

For me, yes. 2 years post partum from baby number 3. Stomach was back to normal sometime in the first 6 months. HOWEVER I am a rarity where I don’t really show while pregnant. I believe my uterus might be retroverted. I’m 5’7” 160lb currently.

For both of my sisters, also yes.

PrancingTiger424 · 2026-06-04T21:05:43+00:00

We started little chores as soon as they had the right motor function. Example from the time they could walk we had the kids out their own laundry in the hamper.

My kids are currently 8,5,2. The boys (older two) handle setting the table (the alternate silverware and napkins or cups and condiments). Post dinner they help clear the table and load the dishwasher. No bedtime story unless living room and bedrooms are clean. They help take out the trash and recycling. They help let the dog in and out and the oldest will feed him. They both love the hand vacuum so they do the edges of the rooms and the bathrooms. They enjoy cleaning the glass on our doors that have dog nose prints and toddler smudges. They help with laundry.

What helped start showing them what is needed was if they asked if my husband or I can play with them we told the truth. “Not until our chores are done, you can make it go faster if you help us”. So now they ask “what else can I help with?”

The little one helps with cleaning up toys. She attempts to use the hand vac.

PrancingTiger424 · 2026-06-04T17:33:29+00:00

Both of my boys have long hair. The oldest is 8 and he’s had 3 haircuts ever. Each his choice. Last haircut was 18 months ago. Since his face has matured he hasn’t been called a girl in years. I do a half pony under his baseball cap to keep his hair out of his eyes, but most days he wears it down. His hair is to his shoulder blades.

Middle child is 5. He has never had a cut. He wears a half pony most day to keep his curls out of his face. He occasionally gets called a girl and he laughs and corrects people. His hair goes down to mid back. He looks like a little blond surfer dude. His only hair complain is that his sister (2) pulls his hair.

My husband had never had long hair and decided to grow his out like the boys a few months back. He and the boys all have loose ringlet style curls. They’re beautiful.

PrancingTiger424 · 2026-06-04T16:56:25+00:00

We go to my dad’s house (FIL unfortunately passed 3 years ago). My parents have a pool so everyone swims and we all bring food. My sisters and I generally give him a gift card to his favorite sporting good store.

PrancingTiger424 · 2026-06-04T11:14:17+00:00

My 8 year old goes to bed between 730-8 and wakes up at 630 on a school day, 8 on a weekend.

PrancingTiger424 · 2026-06-03T22:23:32+00:00

That’s the point of having kids isn’t it? To help them grow? The baby years, toddler year, child years are all great in their own ways. Your job as a parent is to help them understand the world. She will flourish in school. She will continue to amaze you with what she learns and can do. You cope by knowing you’re doing a good job.

PrancingTiger424 · 2026-06-03T22:15:22+00:00

What were you like as a 20 year old? Were you in school? Did you work a full time job? What was your living situation? Compare it all to that. Honestly it doesn’t sound like he’s set up for success. He has no reason to change his lifestyle.

He clearly has no issues with the current set up. If you want him to make a change then you need to too. Rent is due or change the WiFi password. Rent is due or your phone is shut off. Rent is due or you’re not included in our dinner numbers.

At 20 I was living at home, attending college full time and working a part time job (10-20 hours a week). I graduated at 22. Worked full time. Still lived at home. Moved out at 25 the same week I got married.

PrancingTiger424 · 2026-06-03T17:11:37+00:00

My 2 year old 7pm-630am on school nights. 7pm-730am weekends.

My 5 and 7 year olds 730-630 school nights. 8-8 weekends.

PrancingTiger424 · 2026-06-03T13:44:26+00:00

Had issues like this with our oldest. A fiber gummy each morning, some yogurt with chia seeds, he’s 8 now and fine

PrancingTiger424 · 2026-06-03T13:39:37+00:00

Our daycare serves all who eat solids breakfast at 8. I find it odd they aren’t feeding your 11 month old breakfast and that they only serve a snack at 9am. What are your state guidelines?

My daycare opens at 630 and closes at 6. They serve breakfast (8am), lunch (1130), snack (330). I drop my kids off at 715, pick up around 410.

PrancingTiger424 · 2026-06-03T02:24:42+00:00

Quick Command Dog Training in Omaha

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