Kids are so expensive

[iheartmaytag]

My five year old wanted a pool this year. She was still mad because the hail storm punched holes in her wading pool last year, so I promised her that we would get a new one.



Now I was cautious because I don’t like water myself, so I had to insure that anything I had for her I actually wouldn’t have to get into myself if I had to do a rescue, actually I wanted something small enough that I shouldn’t have to do a rescue at all, but just in case.

So we settled on a small 15in high six foot across ditty with collapsible walls where if a child falls under all they have to do is grab the side and the water would release. Easy enough if she falls under all I would have to do is push the side in and let the water out. She is never out alone, but just in case she excapes the house unnoticed maybe this will be safer.



The pool was relatively inexpensive, $14.99

Well as I am setting it up I read that it holds 258 gallons of water, so I decided to fill it with the well water rather than pay the city for the 258 gallons, all good at this point, except the next line in the instructions. “Water must be emptied daily to prevent bacteria buildup, if sanitizer is not used.”

Well I didn’t want to empty the stupid thing every day because it would never warm up to where she could use it, and I didn’t want to waste that much water.

Add another $18.99 for chemicals.

Then add $3.99 for the floaties, $1.00 for the foam noodle, and $1.00 for the squirt wand.

Wait, Wait, also add the $14.99 for the smallish pool skimmer—strike that. I went to Dollar Tree and bought a butterfly net, works perfect $1.00.

Oh, after adding the chemicals, you have to test to see that the chlorine isn’t too strong as it can cause skin burns. Add another $6.95.



Her Godmother bought her a swimming suit so I didn’t have to spend that $10. Thus far I have spent $47.92 and she hasn’t even gotten wet yetm maybe it will be warm enought tonight. I should have just gone for a membership at the Y and wouldn’t have to worry about bird poopie and neighbor kids.

 

[whirlcool]

You ought to try an in ground pool. Our monthly chemical expense is about $80.00 per month for a 14x25 kidney shaped pool.
Chlorine evaporates very quickly in the hot sun. Then you have the test kits, the muratic acid, the alligcide.
But we like it. If we had a service come, it'd be $125.00 per month.
So actually, you are getting away pretty cheap. And besides, you daughter likes it, doesn't she?

 

[perc-o-prince]

You think this is expensive...

You'll have a stroke when it comes time for college!!

Relax and enjoy her while she is still young You might want to spring for a cheap camera to take pictures. She'll only be five just once.

Rich

 

[rapunzel]

You'll have a stroke when it comes time for college!!

Ha! Try private school fees, school uniforms and supplies, swimming lessons, soccer club membership, karate classes, YMCA membership for gymnastics, art classes, FOOD (they never stop eating), candy, DVD rentals, clothes (they grow out of everything within 12 months), medical bills (they regularly bring home colds and flu from school), TOYS (pls mom, dad, uncle, gramps, nan can I have this, that and the other???? please, please, pretty please!!!???) The list is endless, but it's all worth it, they bring so much joy and happiness.

College is just the icing on the cake. Anyway, they should pay for that themselves. Makes them appreciate their education more. Here in Australia you can either pay your tertiary education fees in advance (big discount) or pay it back via your annual tax return with a good amount of interest added.

 

[circlew]

When I was a kid we had an above ground pool 2.5' deep by 12' diameter. My parents put Clorox in it every few days, and if leaves, etc. got in it, my sister and I would pick them out. If a storm came, and lots of debris was floating around, we just stuck the hose in, and let it overflow until clear. Water was added to make up for evaporation and splashing out as needed. We each had a blow-up pool toy, and that was it - nothing fancy.

 

[mixfinder]

Count It All Joy

Its important to create good and lasting memories with the hnads that may push your wheel chair some day! Four kids, three girls and a boy and they always need something. Then the wish list is layered over the need list. Somehow the money finds a way of stretching and it all works out in the end. It was my experience that having the house everyone else wanted to come to made my job of parenting so much easier. Kids never tell you they're bored if they have a playmate. Grants scholarships, low interest loans and work study got my kids through college without bankrupting any of us. It was surprising how much extra money appeared in the budget after the girls left home and the bathroom wasn't stock with expensive shampoos, rinses, beauty aid and personal hygiene supplies. I wouldn't trade it for the world and still miss the busy chaos of a house full of kids.

 

[lordkenmore]

"Thus far I have spent $47.92 and she hasn’t even gotten wet yet"

It could turn worse. She might have so much fun this summer she'll get into competitive swimming in a few years. If that happens, this summer seem like the good old cheap days. Just a competitive style suit in the right team color could end up costing more than $50.

Growing up, some neighbors had an above ground pool. I think their kids used it a lot--it seemed like all summer long, all one would hear was slashing from next door. It was probably a good investment--particularly since it gave the kids something to do, and kept them out of trouble. (The kids were mostly older than me--and certainly old enough that keeping them out of trouble was probably a good thing.)