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While many are captivated by Britney Spears’ journey this summer, my own saga is quite different—yet no less eventful. As we navigate a post-pandemic summer, many parents, including myself, are simply striving to make the most of our time with our kids. My children are back at day camp this year after a summer spent at home, and the above ground pool I bought last year to add a splash of fun during lockdown has made its return.
To recap the story that turned into a part-time job requiring the investment of a part-time job’s worth of money: I purchased a 10-foot Summer Waves pool, complete with a tiny pump and the promise of quick set-up. What followed was a humbling experience: a three-day assembly, hundreds spent on soil to level the ground, a broken pump motor, and a series of frustrating customer service calls, all while searching for filters that seemed as elusive as the Loch Ness Monster. I’m convinced Amazon is still promising delivery by Labor Day 2024.
Thanks to the kind suggestions from many readers, I discovered that a pool net and a splash of bleach can keep the pool clean. By the end of last summer, I had become somewhat of a pool expert. My kids, however, lost interest in the backyard pool and preferred the public pool, albeit while masked up. They appreciated my efforts, though, and we all hoped this year would be smoother now that I had ironed out the initial kinks.
And for a while, it was! I set up the pool like a pro a few weeks ago—using old towels as shims to level one side—and everything seemed perfect. The kids enjoyed splashing around, and I even noticed the inner tube had slightly deflated after a few days. I simply inflated it again and felt proud about my progress. After hosting my twins’ outdoor birthday party, the pool was a hit, and the kids left with smiles, eager to return.
However, the next day brought storms, and I woke up to find the inner tube had deflated and a significant amount of water had spilled into the yard. My ego took a hit, but I reassured myself it was just the weather causing the trouble. After reinflating the tube and refilling the pool, I felt a sense of smug satisfaction—until it happened again an hour later. Instead of looking for leaks, I looked to the heavens for answers. Why do unfortunate things happen to good people?
Desperate to find the source of the problem, I searched for leaks but came up empty-handed. I tried the soapy water trick to identify pinholes, but nothing appeared. In a perfect world, I would have happily found a bubble and patched it up, but instead, I resorted to a waterproof sealer, applying it around the seams of the inner tube. The tube kept losing air, and I ended up with sticky residue on my faucet and phone case. Thankfully, we had plenty of leftover hand sanitizer to clean up.
As I struggled for a solution, I found myself watching YouTube videos instead of the usual distractions. The feeling of seeking satisfaction but ending up confused and frustrated felt all too familiar. Once I accepted that I wouldn’t find leaks using plastic wrap and stopped denying my need for rest, I stumbled upon videos of others experiencing the same second-year struggles with their above ground pools. Many shared that their tubes couldn’t hold air anymore, so they creatively used pool noodles instead. One person even used half-gallon milk jugs, but that seemed like too much effort.
With a few purchases—including 15 pool noodles, waterproof Gorilla tape, and a lawn toy my kids wanted—I was ready to tackle the problem. Following the guidance from the videos, I cut a large slit in the inner tube and stuffed in the pool noodles, cutting two slits in total to make it easier.
As I worked, I realized I hadn’t rinsed off the soapy water and slipped, nearly landing in the pool. It was a bit like that scene with Ross from “Friends” and his leather pants. After an hour of effort, the pool was upright once again. I taped the holes, filled the pool, and celebrated my handiwork. But of course, there was still more to do. A section of the tube pulled away from the pool at the seam, causing another sagging issue. I was determined, though. Armed with garden stakes, more noodles, Gorilla Tape, and rope, I pressed on.
So far, the solution is holding up. I’d like to think saying that won’t jinx me, but let’s be honest—I was jinxed the moment I bought this pool. My goal now is to keep the pool functioning until the end of summer, and if it makes it to a third season, I’m buying a lottery ticket because luck has been as vital as the $25 worth of tape keeping this thing together.
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Summary
In this humorous recounting, Jamie Thompson shares the trials and tribulations of managing an above ground pool during the summer. From initial setup struggles to creative fixes involving pool noodles, this tale reflects the challenges of summer fun amidst ongoing parenting responsibilities.