Happy spring!
It's pool season. 💦
🚨 This is my annual early-spring public service announcement about getting yourself set up for summer at home. Ignore it at your peril.
Shortly after the pandemic started — it was some type of premonition — I bought an above-ground pool online. In quarantine, this pool became my family’s whole entire life. I wrote about it for both Well + Good and Scary Mommy. It’s a game changer.
The price of such pools would later soar as demand spiked tenfold when it became clear that no one would be leaving the house for a while. Then they all sold out altogether — everywhere. Repeat for last season, too.
Now travel is back on the books — but the global supply chain is a bigger mess than ever. So I’m here to tell you: Buy a pool for your backyard/sidewalk/driveway/stoop this year before it’s too late!
This Intex above-ground prism-frame pool with filter pump from Walmart (a bargain at about $200 on sale right now!) is a version of the one I have.
There are a zillion accessories you will want too (AMA — it’s a lot). But to get started, definitely get yourself a proper pool ladder (no, it turns out a step stool doesn’t just look ridiculous, but it’s also a hazard). Conveniently, this one comes as a set (and is way larger if you have the space for it). And you’ll need a pool skimmer net to keep it clean.
No pressure, but the clock is ticking and you’re welcome. (You won’t be sorry!)
Open Press Opportunities
For Verywell Family, I’m working on a roundup of the best toys for independent play. That means I’m looking for both 1) toy pitches and 2) a child psychologist and/or pediatrician to weigh in with expert commentary.
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That pool looks so refreshing! Crossing my fingers that we get one too :)