Why I Don’t Mind the Community Pool

home insemination kit

Menu

• Lifestyle
• Why I Embrace the Public Pool

by Emily Parker

Updated: July 27, 2018

Originally Published: July 27, 2018

The community pool often feels like a source of frustration for many parents during the summer months. We grumble about incessant splashing, the never-ending struggle with goggles, the endless requests to witness underwater flips, and the slightly nauseating thought of germs. (Let’s be honest, pools can be a bit gross.)

However, despite these annoyances, I’m here to express my fondness for the public pool. Yes, the public pool—not a private backyard oasis, not a country club escape, and certainly not a lavish resort pool. I’m talking about the good old PUBLIC pool.

Here are a few reasons I genuinely appreciate our local swimming pool in the summertime:

1. Affordability
   For around $200, our entire family enjoys year-round access to all six public pools in our area. Daily admission is roughly $6 per person. Honestly, I can’t even grab a coffee without spending at least $20, so $6 for a full day of outdoor fun (and a break from screens) is a fantastic deal. If your town offers summer passes like ours, you could visit the public pool daily for mere cents. Even the snacks there are budget-friendly—who wants a 25-cent ice pop?
2. Community Connection
   As someone who often struggles with social anxiety, stepping outside my home can be a challenge. Yet, the fact that I willingly head to our public pool regularly speaks volumes. We sometimes bump into acquaintances, and other times we don’t, but either way, our family feels engaged with our community and enjoys casual interactions with neighbors.
3. New Friendships for My Kids
   We frequently visit the pool with friends, but even when we go solo, my kids always seem to encounter someone they vaguely know, who is often accompanied by more friends. Before I know it, they’re caught up in games with new pals they hadn’t previously met. This arrangement works out perfectly for me (hello, lounge chair!), and it’s a great opportunity for them too.
4. No Pretenses Here
   You don’t need to fork over a small fortune for country club memberships with Instagram-ready changing rooms, nor do you have to escape to lavish resorts or have a sprawling backyard to enjoy a pool. Most community pools have reasonable fees, and many even offer fee waivers.
5. Physical Activity for the Kids
   All the underwater flips and cannonballs really do expend a lot of energy. And there’s something satisfying about having tired kids at the end of a long summer day.
6. A Mini Getaway Every Weekend
   One of my favorite summer activities is visiting the public pool that’s furthest from our home. This location is less crowded than our neighborhood pool, allowing me to dive into a good book (yes, my kids can swim independently now). My children usually run into familiar faces or make new friends (see point #3), giving my husband and me some quality time to catch up. It’s almost like a mini-vacation, minus the umbrella drinks.

So, if you’re looking for me this summer, I’ll be at the local pool, and I might just treat you to an ice pop.

For more information on related topics, check out this excellent resource on pregnancy and home insemination at NHS IVF. Also, if you’re interested in enhancing your fertility, take a look at this fertility booster for men. And for those considering self-insemination, Cryobaby’s at-home insemination kit is a great authority on the subject.

In summary, the public pool offers an affordable, community-oriented, and fun environment for families during the summer. It provides opportunities for exercise, social interaction, and a sense of belonging—all while being budget-friendly.