I’m A Lounge Chair Mom…Finally!

This year I’ve hit a milestone. I’ve joined the ranks of all those moms who have older kids at the pool–the Lounge Chair Moms. This elite group of moms get to lie in lounge chairs for more than 5 minutes and let the lifeguards do their job. They get to talk to each other, read books and even get some work done on their laptops. These moms don’t even have to get in the pool if they don’t want to. One of the best perks of being a Lounge Chair Mom is they can wear strapless swimming suits because they don’t have toddlers tugging on them.

Up to this point, I’ve been in the other group of moms who have younger kids–the Frazzled Moms. These moms never get to sit down, let alone lie down. They always have to get in the pool to help their not-so-great-little-swimmers no matter what the water temperature is. They are the ones that look tired, stressed and ready to run screaming from the pool area because it is just too much.

You can always spot a Frazzled Mom when they walk into the pool area. They are buried under bags, inner tubes, pool noodles, barbies and water guns. All you can see are their swim skirt clad legs as they maneuver their way to a dumping spot–usually in the grass because the Lounge Chair Moms have taken all the loungers. These moms would never dream of bringing a book to the pool, let alone a laptop. You can catch these moms with their super-strapped-non-pulling-down swimsuits looking longingly over at the Lounge Chairs Moms…wishing, hoping, praying to be in that crowd one day.

My hubby tells me all the time how jealous he is of me during the summer–being home with the kids, sleeping in, going to movies, enjoying the pool. While he is at work he doesn’t see the whining and the fights. He doesn’t see the messes and the orange soda sprayed all over the house. He definitely doesn’t see the “great production” it takes to get ready for the pool–finding swimsuits, gathering all the pool paraphernalia and slathering up everyone with four different kinds of sunscreen.

My hubby might be on to something, though. He just might have cause to be jealous of me these days because I’m now a Lounge Chair Mom. While at the pool, I can write blog posts. I can read my book. I can de-stress. I can pretend I’m on vacation. I now love the pool. I love summer. I love my kids!..But let’s not tell my hubby. He doesn’t need to know how “easy” I have it.

Hang in there Frazzled Pool Moms. You have to pay your dues to join our club, but it is so worth it. In a few years you will be here, reading this blog post while lying on your lounge chair and getting a strapless tan. Just now my youngest son asked me for some money for the pool concession stand. I don’t even have to walk him over there. I don’t even have to get up from my lounge chair. Life is good as a Lounge Chair Mom…finally!

Becca Wilkinson has a creative “need” and will do anything to avoid laundry. She writes over at Cul-de-sac Cool about design, DIY/crafts, easy eats, family, funny experiences and of course, motherhood. Becca wants to spread happiness, helpful tips, pretty things and funny experiences throughout the land. She is the proud mother of three boys and married to her college sweetheart. In her past life she was a graphic designer. Becca has learned a lot these past years about juggling boys, blogging, family and suburban life.