Why in the world...

[elizadeanne]

I want to know what possesed Logan and I to buy a house with a swimming pool? It was fun when we didn't have kids, but now it is such a hassle. Ashton loves the backyard very much and when he wants to go out there I have to go put up the gate. Even though the gate should always be up we've been doing some work out back by the pool and usually it gets in the way. Anyway, we have a little plastic pool that isn't very deep for Ashton to swim in. He can't get in the big pool it scares him. Plus it is so green and nasty because a stray dog got throught the hole in the fence and burst the cover. So now we have a gross, leave filled, use less swimming pool in the backyard that is a total safety hazard for Logan because if he wanted he could climb the fence. I've seen him climb the wooden fence in the yard. Ugh, I hate the pool, I really do because even when summer comes around when are we going to have time to clean it and the money to pay for a new liner to be put in thanks to the stray. Another thing what is the point, I cant get in it, because of Briella and Ashton can get in on his float but I'd be so paranoid.... I dunno... Just a thought...

[elizadeanne]

sorry when I say safety hazard for Logan I mean Ashton...

[Turtleheadfred]

Sorry you hate your pool now - but as your little one gets older (and even though it can be a liability) you'll probably be glad you have it. My neighbors have one with a pool house and everything - and yes, they have a very nice fence around it. But the plus side is, as their boys got older - all of their friends wanted to come to THEIR HOUSE to hang out. While that is an added responsibility, they took it as a blessing because they knew where their boys were, who they were with and what they were doing (well... for the most part.) ;)

It became THE house for everyone to come hang out at. Plus as we all work in our yards in the summer, it's a GREAT place to run jump in to cool off - then get back to work! It may be a mess now, but if you get it cleaned up - it won't be so bad keeping it clean. Plus, you'll be able to get in the pool WITH your baby (or you get in and let him see you so that he's NOT so scared).

Like I said, it can have it's drawbacks, but like anything else, it's all in what you choose to make of it.

Good luck! :D

[elizadeanne]

Well I know I will really like it in a few years but I got really aggravated today. Well Dh has been trying to get the back yard work done so he moves the fence. Well my mom came over to watch Ashton so that I could take Briella to get her meds (she has a cold). Well when I come home Ashton is in the tub and mom is bathing him. Well I want to know what happened so I ask. Seems that even though I told mom not to let Ashton outside she did. I told her that because I didn't have time to put the fence up and I was worried he would drown or something. So it seems that Ashton got curious while mom was reading and he got into the shallow end (thank god) and got all nasty. I'm so aggravated with myself for not putting up the gate, mom for letting him out there, the pool for being there but also thankful he didn't drown or anything.

[Turtleheadfred]

Bless your heart! Thank goodness everyone was okay! And you're right - that is the thing about swimming pools!!! you have to be very careful!

I'll share a quick story and make it short as possible. My neighbor with the pool - Freida - had told the neighbor between us (who doesn't live there anymore) that she was welcome to come swim any time if she'd like. So Frieda comes home from work and there's our neighbor in the pool with her little (I'm talking maybe 1 - 1 1/2 years old) baby girl in a little circle float. Freida is one the phone and looks out the window..... (you're going to scream I warn you!!!)...

there's the baby - in the float... there's Freida's little boy (maybe 12 years old) and his little friend playing - and NO BABY'S MAMA!!!! She actually drops the phone and runs outside asking her son where the mom went. He says he doesn't know. Freida sits there beside the pool - and here comes mom strolling back across the yards. (I should add we all have over an acre each, so we're not really very close together, and the pool house is between Freida's home and that neighbors home!) Freida asks where she's been and she says she just ran home for a minute but that it was okay because HER SON WAS THERE and HE COULD KEEP AN EYE ON THE BABY!!!!! Freida actually had to sit and explain that it was unacceptable to leave an infant unattended in a huge swimming pool with a 12 year old child and his friend! Could you imagine if heaven forbid anything would have happened?! Not only would Freida have never gotten over it - but the mom wouldn't have either - and probably would have tried to sue Freida! It got to a point where she actually had to tell the mom that no one could come over unless she (Freida) or her husband were at home!

I thought I would DIE when she told me! Sometimes, the fences and gates are needed for the adults more than the children! :eek: