Navigating your local community pool, lake club or beach club can be a bit of a shark fest- ladies y’all know what I am talking about. Your kids are begging to go- they want to hang out with their friends and swim and have fun. But don’t you wish it was as easy as grabbing your latest beach read and your sunnies and relaxing knowing the lifeguard has their eye on your kids while you enjoy some much needed mom time? But NO- instead the other moms have decided to make it a damn competition and the ultimate opportunity to judge each other on everything from how fit we are, to who has the latest “IT” beach bag, to whose kids are there with the nanny, to whatever bit of gossip is going around lately. Girls, it’s got to stop. Give each other a break. This mommy thing is hard af. We are ALL trying our best.

Let’s all try this Summer to encourage each other to live our best lives and do what feels right to us. Sometimes I find myself as guilty as anyone about this. I have to mentally stop myself when I see someone doing something a different way than I would and I have to tell myself to stop judging and to applaud that mom for finding a way that works for her. If she’s happy and her kids are happy- then go her. Honestly, everybody’s entitled to do things their own way.

So wear whatever the F kind of swimsuit makes you happy. Read whatever kind of summer reading makes you happy. Feed your kids whatever kind of pool snack you want to. Let them swim right after they eat if you want to. If your kids don’t want to swim at all and want to lay on the chair and play on their iPad and you’re ok with that, then why isn’t everyone else? Put whatever level of SPF on them you think is right for them. As often as you think is right for them. Go swim and play with them all day if you want. Or don’t go in at all and have mommy alone time with your book or chat with the other moms if you want. Or talk on your phone and ignore everybody if you want. Catch up on work if you want. JUST DO WHATEVER YOU WANT. That’s the whole point. We only get 18 summers with our kiddos. Let’s stop worrying so much about what other people think and spend them exactly how WE want to.

Megan picked out her favorite pool essentials and linked them in the widget below- perfect for a day at the community pool, lake, or beach club. Make sure you use the arrow and scroll through to see all the goodies- click on your favorites for easy shopping.  The beach hat she’s wearing in the header photo is available in our blog shop as well as a very similar tropical swimsuit coverup. Happy Summering ladies!