'Stop hitting your sister with the pool noodle!' Things every parent says at the pool

"Repeat after me: taking your kids to the pool is really fun and not at all difficult or stressful," laughs Aussie dad-of-two Sean.

I have a love-hate relationship with taking my children to a public pool.

I love how much they love it, of course.

The confidence that builds each season as they become stronger swimmers. The look on their face as they dive into the deep end or pull-off an epic bomb.

The random friendships forged, the ice blocks devoured and the pruney fingertips they wear as a badge of honour after far too many hours in the water.

The warm summer moments that quickly become core memories, laid down in the scrapbook of their lives.

But then there’s, well, everything else that comes with parenting at the pool.

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"The annoying list goes on and on"

All the duties that one inherits when they bring their tiny humans to a large hole in the ground that’s been filled with water. The “no running” duty, the “put your sunscreen on” duty, the “stop hitting that stranger with a pool noodle or we’re leaving immediately” duty.

The annoying list goes on and on, just like the goggles that your child continually asks you to help put back on their face.

So would I ever stop taking my children to the local pool?

Absolutely not. Sure, we’re swimming in a giant pee bath. And yeah, you can’t look away - not even for a second - because you’re basically an unpaid lifeguard.

But it’s a magical place where kids (and adults alike) do magical things and make magical memories.

What’s not to love about that?

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Originally published as 'Stop hitting your sister with the pool noodle!' Things every parent says at the pool