Party Pooper

[ladymoreta]

A friend is having a pool party for her 2-year old tomorrow, and I'm dreading it. I have two kids in diapers who can't swim. Plus I'm flabby. I hate pool parties! (To be fair, DH is on home call tomorrow, so if he's not called in, I'll only have DS, which will be easier.)

What other parties do I have to look forward to hating as my kids get older? Let's share our "fun" stories!

[diggitydot]

A pool party for toddlers sounds like a disaster waiting to happen. Or torture. Holy shit, that woman is balls out crazy.

[Chrisada]

And that's why we are having a small party on Monday in the park with a piñata and cupcakes for DS. I hate party madness for little ones!

[GrayMatterWife]

That sounds like hell, honestly. I think my kids would all come down with a sudden, raging case of pink eye. Or something else horribly contagious.

I hate being in a bath suit in front of other adults. I own only a bikini and I don't swim often enough to warrant buying a new suit. It's not racy or anything, but I don't think it is appropriate since so many of our friends are people DH works with. And, who on earth needs to see my pasty white legs??? And, I HATE those super severe shaves or hair removal you have to do.

I give you kudos for going!!!

[ladymoreta]

Haha glad I'm not just being whiny! I would skip it, but this is probably my last chance to see a lot of my friends, so it's more for me. Good news, though - someone asked to take DH's call (weird circumstances), so he happily made that sacrifice. Now I'll only have DS to take care of, and he's not a big fan of the water, so we can probably get out quickly!

[HouseofWool]

Honestly? We are headed on a family vacay on Sunday with my sister, her family, my follks and their foster son. The hotel will have a pool and the plan is to wear the kids out each evening by having them play until they drop. Me? I am dreading it terribly. I am out of shape and have ZERO motivation right now. It doesn't help that my sister is 5'7" and a size 6 at worst. And she has 4 kids. FML

[houseelf]

I'm kind of thinking showing up in a Borat type swimsuit would curtail any future invites to these sort of parties for me.

[GrayMatterWife]

It doesn't help that my sister is 5'7" and a size 6 at worst. And she has 4 kids. FML

You should talk with your sister for encouragement and support! You'd really be surprised...bathing suit dread is experienced by everyone, I think. I'm 5'8" and a size 6 and I want to crawl in a hole whenever I am in a bathing suit. I know I am not overweight, but I am desperately self-conscious--is my bikini line showing? is my ass falling out? I am so flat-busted--I look like God forgot to draw the rest of me, between my shoulders and my pelvis. I look like a 13-year old boy. I don't tan. I have some of those weird blue veins on the backs of my legs. UGHUHGUGHGUHGUHGUHGUGH!!!

I really, truly think most women over 30 feel this way about being in a swimsuit. It is depressing, demoralizing, and anxiety-inducing. We should find support and comfort with each other, every year from May through September!

[HouseofWool]

You should talk with your sister for encouragement and support! You'd really be surprised...bathing suit dread is experienced by everyone, I think. I'm 5'8" and a size 6 and I want to crawl in a hole whenever I am in a bathing suit. I know I am not overweight, but I am desperately self-conscious--is my bikini line showing? is my ass falling out? I am so flat-busted--I look like God forgot to draw the rest of me, between my shoulders and my pelvis. I look like a 13-year old boy. I don't tan. I have some of those weird blue veins on the backs of my legs. UGHUHGUGHGUHGUHGUHGUGH!!!

I really, truly think most women over 30 feel this way about being in a swimsuit. It is depressing, demoralizing, and anxiety-inducing. We should find support and comfort with each other, every year from May through September!

My sister couldn't care less what I look like. *I*, however, know that I can be just as healthy as she is. I've been there, somewhat recently. Mostly, I am struggling to find a fitness routine that works with my new living situation. I can't afford a gym membership, I no longer have access to a treadmill, and as a single gal, I can't exactly leave the 3 year old home alone with the 9 year old. The stress of it all being on me is affecting my eating habits and I am disappointed in myself. I can deal with the fact that I am day-glo white, that I have heinous spider veins, and that my thighs will always touch (even at 5'9" and 140 they touched). What I don't like is that I am still out of shape.

[Chrisada]

Could you get a financial aid membership through your Y? Most Y's have Childwatch which has saved me.

[Ladybug]

I hate pool parties. Find a cute (short) cover up and leave it on unless you have to dive in and save a kid. The mom probably has idealized a summer party in her mind without fully appreciating how difficult (stressful) this age is for parents. Don't feel guilty if you have to cut it short. There are limits to what you can do/supervist in this type of situation. Recognize them, own them and wish them all well.

[MrsSz]

That sounds like hell, honestly. I think my kids would all come down with a sudden, raging case of pink eye. Or something else horribly contagious.

I'm on this boat for sure!!! I give you mad props for balling up and going

[Michele]

The beach mom crew here usually wears a rash guard +/- board shorts over their suits. Maybe not pool appropriate but certainly covers well and is toddler chasing friendly.

If I'm by myself I'll bikini down. But with kids? I'm covered....rash guard and board shorts. I don't worry about bending, stretching, chasing, or playing causing wardrobe malfunctions.

[JC76]

I'd definitely be rocking a cute coverup over a bathing suit. It would have to be extreme circumstances to get me to walk around in a suit around a group of other friends/parents. Sounds lucky for you that your DS doesn't really like swimming. Maybe he won't feel like going in at all? Toddler pool party - groups of toddlers & pools in general - to me, don't mix.

[ladymoreta]

Yeah, I'm leaning toward just bringing my suit and coverup in the diaper bag and hoping he doesn't want to get in.