It’s March.  Almost the end of March.

Today is the first day of spring break and I’m already freaking out about the summer.

Why?

Because all the community pools are rushing me with their “Early Bird Specials”

And by early bird “special” , I mean $500 for a summer pool pass for the family.

And no, the Rockefellers do not own the pool.  And no, it’s not filled with liquid gold for us to swim in.

And that’s a more reasonable option.  There are a few local community pools that you have to pay into a bond first (upwards of $1,500) and THEN you STILL have to pay a yearly fee.

They don’t accept arms OR unshaven legs as payment either.

Last year I went to a different towns community pool.  It was more of a waterpark style and the kids had a blast.  It’s $400, but farther to drive and they don’t allow you to bring food in at all.  They actually checked my bag last year and confiscated my sandwich.  But they didn’t unroll the towels where I was hiding the chips.  So there’s that.

So here I am, in March, trying to figure out what we’re going to do this summer.

While also looking at all the local free corners available for working.  Ahem.

And don’t even get me started on any camps I might think the kids might enjoy.

That’s another $300 EACH for a one week, few hours a day, camp each.

Seriously, people.

And now is where you might comment “You know it doesn’t take a lot of money to have fun with your kids, there are plenty of things you can do for free”

Yeah, yeah.  I know that.

But you know what?  I’m a stay at home mom.

That’s 24/7/366 (Thanks leap year, jerk)

I NEED for my children to do SOMETHING at least part of the summer.

It’s for me people.  And my sanity.  And is that a free street corner I see right there…….

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So what are you doing with your kids this summer?

How do you plan to survive reasonably?

Who has nothing going on and offering to come play with my kids at the pool?