More random thoughts & lessons learned

July 23, 2010 · 4 comments

The boys and I went to the local water park today – it wasn’t too hot and was mostly cloudy, so perfect weather in my eyes. I wanted to do something with them that didn’t involve cleaning or decorating or shopping. We had a very good day together, although it was difficult to get them out of the pool at the end of the day.  After over 5 hours in the water, I was pruned beyond recognition and just wanted to come home. The boys, apparently part fish, could have stayed MUCH longer. (I can’t really say anything, as I generally feel the same way about being in water)

While I was at said water park, I learned and noticed things:

  1. I’m not letting my sons turn into snotty pre-teen/teenagers. The language! The annoyance! (no, I have no clue how to do that, but I did enjoy telling a group of boys that they needed to watch their language today!! #getoffmylawn)
  2. There is no reason to scare the crap out of your young child if they don’t want to get in the water. Yes, I understand it is hot out, and yes, I get that it’s only like 6 inches deep to start, but scared is scared. Find another way.
  3. I saw a man lounging on a chair today and thought nothing of his cat nap until I saw him reach IN his shorts and adjust himself. GAG. People are gross.
  4. There was such a variety of people there today – what I watched most were the women. I was conducting my own little experiment about body image and esteem.  I found most women were outwardly pretty comfortable in swimsuits, hanging around in the pool, old and young, fat and skinny and everything in between. That was nice to see.
  5. One woman bothered me and I couldn’t stop glancing over at her. She was probably late 20s and overweight, which, really, whatever, but she had on her bra (I know this only because she said aloud it was bothering her), a tank top, a swimsuit and a pair of shorts. I felt bad for her because she obviously was so insecure that she needed layers at the pool.
  6. I learned that the only thing that matters about other moms or people at the pool is that they are having a good time with their kids.  I don’t care what you look like in your suit, but seeing you getting splashed and laughing with your kids is awesome.
  7. I also learned that reapply often when it comes to sunscreen means about 20 times per hour, because even on an overcast day with multiple applications of 70 SPF, I still got burned.  For the first time in forever. And it freaking hurts!! (And my mom is totally going to yell at me tomorrow morning)
  8. I don’t understand how women who wear the full body covering (burkas?) do it.  It’s hot, they are at the water park and they are covered in black from head to toe. Although, I was surprised to see a couple of them get in! Usually I see them sitting on the sides, just watching.
  9. It was a very nice day with my boys – quality time away from the house and social media, lots of giggles and perfect water.
  10. I told the boys why they had to wear sunscreen today, pointing at my scars and telling them it was because I never wore sunscreen as a kid. I’m not sure how much they really understood or if it’s going to come back and bite me in the ass later, but now they know the word melanoma as it’s applied in real life to their mom. (that sucked, fyi)

Tomorrow, back to reality.  My house is a wreck and I have to work, but tonight, I was just too fried (mentally and physically!) to do anything but hang out and play Toy Story 3 on the playstation with P.

{ 4 comments… read them below or add one }

liv July 23, 2010 at 12:20 am

it might have sucked to tell the boys the whys of sunscreen, but i swear that it will make an impression. better to have the scars than not be there to take the kids to the water park. now, get thee some aloe! 😉

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AndreAnna July 23, 2010 at 9:55 am

It makes me sad that people hate their bodies so much they go through so much discomfort.

Glad you had a nice day!

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Kyla July 23, 2010 at 3:14 pm

Waterparks are good for people watching!

It sucks that the boys (and you) have had to have such a first hand experience with why sunscreen is important, but those kind of experiences tend to really make a difference in the long run. Hopefully, they will never have to go through what you did.

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flutter July 24, 2010 at 7:24 pm

thank YOU for being such a good mama. You are raising kids that people won’t want to kill in public

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