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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Im not aibu to not have the pool out am I?

115 replies

T181 · 14/07/2022 07:32

2 kids age 8 and 6 would like the pool out ive said no because its not really an appropriate time there in school every day untill 4 we have plans this weekend so it won't get used and then next week when they finish school on Thursday- on Friday were away for 5 days so its not practical then either id be putting it up blowing it up and filling it pretty deep for them pretty much not to use it as its far too hot after school at the moment and we have to get on with the evening things dinner baths after school clubs which are Tuesday and weds and then bed. Plus the amount of water it uses costs!

Anyway a friend said im being unfair and should let them have it up

Is your pool up ???
I'll happily put it up when we come back from holiday because then they've got all day in it for 4 weeks untill another holiday we've got

OP posts:
Original poster
T181 · 14/07/2022 09:25

Alright guys you've convinced me off i go to the loft then and BTW it's not a small pool its huge but I won't fill it deep. My garden could definitely do with the water on it! And also it was brought years ago but still going as strong

OP posts:
pictish · 14/07/2022 09:26

Life is short. Get the pool out.

Mummyoflittledragon · 14/07/2022 09:26

Yabu
This is the time to have it out. Odds on it will be raining and awful weather when you return from holiday.

Magicpaintbrush · 14/07/2022 09:28

I can hear where you are coming from OP - they are a pain to put up, but also back breaking to empty when they are finished. We usually water the garden with ours when it's no longer wanted but it takes aaaaages. Last year DD wanted the pool out, I obliged, and she spent about 20 minutes in it then moaned she was cold and that was it. I spent about four times longer emptying the bloody thing than she was actually in it.

If you have a sprinkler just put that on and let them run around under it - they still get to cool off and have fun, it's easier for you, and they can't drown either.

GreenManalishi · 14/07/2022 09:29

If a British heatwave isn't the time to put the pool up, when is? What conditions where you hoping for when you bought it? Get it up you fun sponge! The kids will NEVER be this age again, you'll never get this summer again, and you've only got a few more summers until the oldest one will be off out on their bike with mates, without a backwards glance at you or your paddling pool! Lean in!

TheNoodlesIncident · 14/07/2022 09:30

I don't know where you are in the UK OP but if it's too hot for a paddling pool, you should move to NW England. We have 16 degrees predicted today. Golly! We'll fry to a crisp! Hmm

Tomorrow is predicted 18, Saturday 21, Sunday will be warmer at 25, Monday 26, Tuesday 29, Wednesday down to 22 and that's probably it for summer. Why swelter in the SE of England when you could shiver in the NW while everyone else gets to incessantly say "in this heat"?

Fill the paddling pool, g'wan. Even if they only get a few hours in it, if you chuck in some bubblebath near the end you won't need to bath them afterwards. Kids that age aren't like grossly sweaty teens, it'll do! Plus you can use the water afterwards to water the garden, win-win.

CrapBucket · 14/07/2022 09:32

If you can afford it, leave the big cumbersome one in the loft and buy a cheap small one and a couple of water pistols. They will still have fun but without you having to arse around so much with the damn thing.

My ex always went for massive pools and it became such a chore to sort out. The kids would have been happy with anything tbh.

tootiredtospeak · 14/07/2022 09:33

Jeez if you dont use the pool in a heatwave when do you. It might be raining when they break up. Just get it up today ready for the weekend.

GraceandMolly · 14/07/2022 09:35

Too hot for a pool? Your kids would be submerged in cool water with a hat on.

Don’t steal their summer fun!

StrangeCondition · 14/07/2022 09:35

TheNoodlesIncident · 14/07/2022 09:30

I don't know where you are in the UK OP but if it's too hot for a paddling pool, you should move to NW England. We have 16 degrees predicted today. Golly! We'll fry to a crisp! Hmm

Tomorrow is predicted 18, Saturday 21, Sunday will be warmer at 25, Monday 26, Tuesday 29, Wednesday down to 22 and that's probably it for summer. Why swelter in the SE of England when you could shiver in the NW while everyone else gets to incessantly say "in this heat"?

Fill the paddling pool, g'wan. Even if they only get a few hours in it, if you chuck in some bubblebath near the end you won't need to bath them afterwards. Kids that age aren't like grossly sweaty teens, it'll do! Plus you can use the water afterwards to water the garden, win-win.

I'm in the NW, predicted temp here 19 degrees, Saturday 25, Sunday 29, Monday 33, Tuesday 34. Summer definitely isn't over yet

pintsizeprincess · 14/07/2022 09:38

My 7 year old has been having a couple of hours in the paddling pool after school every evening this week. It's def the right time to get the pool out! After the high temps at the start of next week it's meant to be thundery and wet so you've got to let them make the most of it while they can!

Flutterbybudget · 14/07/2022 09:49

If you don’t want the pool, can I have it?? If I ask nicely?? I’ll beg 🤷‍♀️
id give anything to have one right now, but they’re rarer than hens teeth round here!

Peanutbuttercupisyum · 14/07/2022 09:51

The whole dinner bath routine thing is out of the window when it’s so warm! Just let them play in the pool for a few hours after school and give them a sandwich in the garden. Then hose them off and get them
to bed!

IdisagreeMrHochhauser · 14/07/2022 09:52

This heatwave ends on Tuesday so bear that in mind.

megletthesecond · 14/07/2022 09:52

Yanbu. I dont put ours up before we go away as it's an extra faff to put it away again. It's a waste of water for just 24hrs.
Put it up when you get back.

HappyAsASandboy · 14/07/2022 09:55

Ours is up. The kids are in it on and off all evening after school. My 11 year old went in after scouts the other day so went in at 8.30pm and out by 9pm.

There's a lot more washing as they generate wet towels, wet clothes and swimsuits at an alarming rate, but the pool is pretty much a free for all from June to September here Smile

CoastalWave · 14/07/2022 10:06

We got this from Aldi. It's up permanently. Kids in it as soon as they get in from school. Owes us nothing!

Im not aibu to not have the pool out am I?
Roselilly36 · 14/07/2022 10:09

yabu, I would put the pool up, and let them enjoy it. My boys used to love theirs, happy days.

Mischance · 14/07/2022 10:16

How many lovely days like this will they get? How could you think of NOT putting it up and enjoy watching them splash about?

NerrSnerr · 14/07/2022 10:18

IdisagreeMrHochhauser · 14/07/2022 09:52

This heatwave ends on Tuesday so bear that in mind.

Surely that depends where you are. It's still forecast 24-26 where I am and that's definitely warm enough for a paddling pool (it's about 23 today and my 5 year old who is poorly from school has been in ours a couple of times this morning already)

theviewfrommywindow · 14/07/2022 10:28

Put your pool up. It's still warm when they get home from school. My daughter comes home from school and gets straight in ours - every evening. Its definitely worth the hassle. I think perhaps you're seeing it as an inconvenience for you rather than what the pool is actually for - your children's enjoyment. Come on OP, stick the pool up Smile

theviewfrommywindow · 14/07/2022 10:29

T181 · 14/07/2022 09:25

Alright guys you've convinced me off i go to the loft then and BTW it's not a small pool its huge but I won't fill it deep. My garden could definitely do with the water on it! And also it was brought years ago but still going as strong

Hooray! By the time they come home the water will have warmed up. I'm excited for their little faces when they get home Smile

Branster · 14/07/2022 10:30

T181 · 14/07/2022 09:25

Alright guys you've convinced me off i go to the loft then and BTW it's not a small pool its huge but I won't fill it deep. My garden could definitely do with the water on it! And also it was brought years ago but still going as strong

Well done!!!
I know it's a pain to set up and keep refilling but it absolutely is very handy for watering the garden.
Let the kids have fun. It gets dark well after 9PM, they can use after their after school clubs if they can't squeeze in a quick dip after school.
In 10 years time, They will remember having fun and they won't remember last week if school of various clubs. Paddling pool wins!

ilovemyboys3 · 14/07/2022 10:30

Definitely put it up. Mine cool down after school and enjoy it for an hour before dinner. Beats them sitting on iPads or watching the tele 🤷🏻‍♀️

RedCardigan · 14/07/2022 10:37

You sound delightful, hth.
don’t fill it deep, let them be kids and cool down. We’re emptying and refilling our daily, I’m sure the grass will thank us.