In this episode of Quality Time, Daddy Clay gives his tips for taking the kids to the swimming pool. Whether it be a neighborhood pool, or your family pool out back, follow these tips to ensure a great family summertime activity. Step one, get the right sunscreen. There are plenty of suntan lotions, sunscreens, and other sun block methods but Daddy Clay recommends the spray on suntan lotion. Finding the right pair of goggles is also an essential key to a successful trip to the pool. Make sure you get ones that fit, but also know that there is no way to prevent that difficult process of getting the goggles on and off the kids. The third and final tip is get a fun pool game to play with your kids. Daddy Clay recommends the pool side quiz show. The swimming game is a fun way to play with your kids without having you become the game. Quality Time ep 532 is brought to you by BabyBjorn.
Daddy Clay: So what are the keys to a great family trip to the community pool? It's all about what goes in the beach bag. This week on Quality Time we're talking about goo, goggles and games.
This episode of quality time is brought to you by Baby Bjorn. Summer's in full swing so you might want to take a look at this Baby Bjorn Baby Carrier Air. Nice and cool, perfect for summer.
Anytime that I'm not spending ferrying my kids around to various summer camps is spent parked by the pool. What's the key to success there? Well, it's all about what goes in here.
First thing, spray on sunscreen. This stuff is interesting. Haven't we lost something by not having to squeeze a tube and smear it on the kid as they try to get away. And our parents never had spray on sunscreen. They had a glass bottle of Wesson oil that they marinated you in and we turned out fine. Are things really better because they come out of an can? Is cheese? Maybe... Ultimately shouldn't we just have that beautiful skin to skin contact with the children - no. 'Cause this stuff's amazing.
Ok, next up, goggles. Gotta have goggles. And this is how many pair of goggles we roll with in our beach bag. Why so many? Well, let me ask you this question. Is there any way to get these on that would not bring a smile to the face of Dick Cheney? It's torturing kids. You put these eye cups on and their eyes start to bulge and this strap is made out of a special rubber that's formulated to bond with human hair. And then there's the screaming and these really hurt.
So I called up the good people at West Austin Aquatics to ask them some questions about goggles and they confirmed a few things I suspected all along. When it comes to finding a pair of goggles that will fit your child well - total crap chute. Price point is not a factor that will determine fit. There are too many factors, shape of the eyes, size of the head. You may end up doing like we do and buy the multi packs. There are a couple of things you can look for. One, make sure the bridge between the goggles is not to wide. Split straps are a good idea, makes it at least a little easier to put on. And some pairs have hinges that make adjusting straps easier. In terms of putting it on, I use the band aid technique. Have them hold the eye piece over their eyes and rip that thing over the back of the head.
The last piece is pool games. I feel guilty if I spend the whole time on our trip to the pool sitting in my chaise lounge, drinking my fruity drink and reading my maxim. I usually try to get in the pool and play with the kids every time we make a trip. The problem is my kids' favorite game when I get in the pool is "Wonk the Walrus." Basically it's a way for them to work out their "daddy issues" by beating the crap out of me. So I'm trying to find some alternatives so I asked Daddy Troy and he said Poolside Quiz Show. He lines the kids up on the pool deck he has them jump up and they have to answer questions before they hit the water. It sounds simple but the kids love it. You can ask simple questions like "what's your favorite color?" "who's the best dad in the world?" Or you can go educational and ask math or geography. I would not get any of those. But you'd be amazed at how much fun kids have playing this game.
Try it yourself. If you have quiz questions that really work let us know at DadLabs.com. We want to thank our sponsors, Baby Bjorn, get one of these great baby carriers and you'll feel fresh. We'll see you next time on quality time.