Swimming pool fun for kids but plays with the minds of mommies

**imagine** · 07-15-2011, 05:00 PM

You know the swimming pool where the kids all play and splash and have FUN. It is also the place that mommies sit together and talk while watching their children splash.

The gathering of moms often comes with talking about:
the choice in careers or choice to stay home and
the choice of schools public or private and if so which ones or home school.

It also comes with parenting tips and advice.
Do you force Joey to jump off the diving board or do you bride him to do so or so you encourage him to do so or just stand by ready to cheer if and when he decides too

And if you are the one outnumbered in your choice of schooling or stay at home or career or even how to get Joey to jump of the board you will be seeing eye rolling and looks between the majority.

This plays with the mind of a mother.

I was the odd man out this week at the pool and suffered many eye rolls and "she just doesn't get it yet looks" along with data about why their choices are superior to mine.

Add to that my MIL is coming for the first time in years. I'm sure she will take one look at the house and our life and I am going to hear about how my SIL's all did this or all did that
and how she did too. I once again will be the odd man out. sigh

So Hubby listens to me list my frustrations and odd man outness and sweetly looks at me and say "This is how WE decided to structure OUR family, this is how WE decided to school OUR children, these are OUR choices, sacrifices, and benefits . This is OUR family it shouldn't look like my sister's family or the ladies at the pool's families. It should look like OURS"

What kind supportive words I heard.

I decided to share them with you.

Remember your family is yours it should look like yours no one else's.

**McD** · 07-15-2011, 05:17 PM

A very good reminder.

I have made a very big effort to surround myself with positive mom friends. I don't need negativity, I don't need a bunch of clone mamas that do everything the way we do. I just need friends that will support me.

And just remember Imagine, that the way you do things may not work for their families, but they certainly work for yours and you have proof in the accomplishments (both moral & physical) of your children.

**craftypam** · 07-15-2011, 05:48 PM

I never cared what other people thought, but I'm not sure I'd invite people back to my house if they are soooo rude to roll their eyes at you because you have a difference of opinion. IMHO that is just disrespectful

**zakity** · 07-15-2011, 05:53 PM

What she said...

We have a very different parenting style. It works for our guys. It wouldn't work so great for anyone else's family.

**imagine** · 07-15-2011, 05:55 PM

Originally Posted by McD

And just remember Imagine, that the way you do things may not work for their families, but they certainly work for yours and you have proof in the accomplishments (both moral & physical) of your children.

Oh yes most definitely. No reminder needed for me.

some of those ladies might need a reminder that what works for there family might not work for my family for children.

Those ladies were in a one size fits all group. and I definitely wasn't there size. LOL literal and figurative.

**imagine** · 07-15-2011, 05:57 PM

Just at the swimming pool especially during swimming lessons you generally don't get to pick the group you are surrounded by.

**mndtrp** · 07-15-2011, 08:09 PM

Sounds like a good time for sunglasses and an ipod.

**MaryCarney** · 07-15-2011, 09:08 PM

You married a good man.

**McD** · 07-15-2011, 09:27 PM

Originally Posted by imagine

Just at the swimming pool especially during swimming lessons you generally don't get to pick the group you are surrounded by.

I know. Sorry if my post sounded like I meant otherwise. I like the suggestions of sunglasses. Maybe a big thick novel. Like War and Peace. That way, while they gossip, they can feel intellectually inferior. Mwahaha.

**Ceashels** · 07-15-2011, 10:48 PM

Originally Posted by imagine

So Hubby listens to me list my frustrations and odd man outness and sweetly looks at me and say "This is how WE decided to structure OUR family, this is how WE decided to school OUR children, these are OUR choices, sacrifices, and benefits . This is OUR family it shouldn't look like my sister's family or the ladies at the pool's families. It should look like OURS"

What kind supportive words I heard.

I decided to share them with you.

Remember your family is yours it should look like yours no one else's.

Those words are golden! You should make them print them in a nice font on nice paper and frame them. And most likely if those ladies with their eye rolls could really understand the meaning of it... I'm sure there would be less eye rolls.

**Ramona** · 07-16-2011, 12:27 AM

Originally Posted by McD

I know. Sorry if my post sounded like I meant otherwise. I like the suggestions of sunglasses. Maybe a big thick novel. Like War and Peace. That way, while they gossip, they can feel intellectually inferior. Mwahaha.

In Russian!

Don't let the eyerollers get you down.

**pollypurebred39** · 07-16-2011, 01:35 AM

In Russian! LOL!

**imagine** · 07-16-2011, 02:42 AM

So I was thinking the large sunglasses the iPod reading War and Peace probably would not work well when
MIL comes. LOL

I will just have to wear a smile while keeping in mind Hubby's words and remembering her questions and advice come from love. She really is a nice lady.