What Was I Thinking?

First day at the pool...and I may never do it again without help! Our town pool actually consists of three pools - a rectangular pool ranging from about 3 feet to 5 feet with lap lines etc. (we call it the big pool), a baby pool which is a round pool with a fountain like spray in the middle, and a splash pool that has all kinds of fountains, sprayers and waterfalls. The problem is that Brian and Sean want to be in the big pool and you have to be four years old before you are allowed in. Which means no one in diapers! Which rules out Justin and try as I might I don't think he can pass for four even with a hat, sunglasses and a trench coat - not this summer anyway!

So, I have to try to keep Justin from falling, eating other people's food, stealing towels and shoes, hitting other babies in the head with his toy truck and falling into the pool and at the same time keep an eye on the big guys who are actually in the pool! And since he is now a proficient walker, all I have to do is turn around and he is gone! This is okay at home but at the pool and at the beach, it is a major problem!

When I got home, I did as any Mom in my situation would do. I researched those outdoor gates/baby fences! I then called around to see if I could find anyone who has one that they are no longer using. I am still waiting on a few calls back. My Mom suggested a harness to tie to a pole - what kind of Grandmom is she!?! I can see it now - me on the 6 o'clock news in handcuffs as they try to untangle a one year old from a leash! I keep saying over and over that my Mom told me to do it. I am not saying that baby harnesses are all bad - but I cannot just leave my kids tied to a pole like a dog outside of a grocery store!

Then we decided that if I were to invest in a baby gate, or be lucky enough to borrow one, that there might be some money to be made. If the fence was big enough I could start a drop-off service for all the other Mom's in my predicament! We then joked that if there were enough babies, they would be corralled in like sheep and be shoulder to shoulder. Then my job would be easy because they wouldn't be able to move. But I don't think that it would work because the crying and screaming would make up for the lack of movement. Oh well. I am looking into a fence though -with room for at least for one!

I have been a Mom long enough to know that he probably won't last long in the corral, but a girl can dream! And maybe just maybe if I throw enough toys and snacks in he will last a little longer. And if the gate is big enough, and I sit in with him, I might just get a few more minutes. Now, how I carry it to the pool with all of the other crap gear that I need, well I am still working on that. I am sure it will come to me tonight at about 2 am when I cannot sleep!