How I Became the ‘Cool Mom’ Without Actually Trying (Thanks to a Giant Blue Pancake)

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Let’s talk about summer. That magical time of year when kids turn feral, popsicles melt faster than your will to live, and your backyard becomes a sticky wasteland of forgotten water balloons. Last June, I hit my breaking point. My kids were using the garden hose to reenact Titanic on the lawn, and I was Googling “how to fake your own death and move to Alaska.” Then I found the Bestway APX 365 pool.

Let me be clear: I did not want a pool. Pools are for people who enjoy skimming leaves and explaining to their spouse why the water bill is $500. But this thing? It’s a 18-foot-wide, 52-inch-tall inflatable miracle that arrived in a box smaller than my laundry pile. (Spoiler: It’s now the centerpiece of my backyard, and I’m weirdly okay with it.)

First, the setup.  

I’ll admit, I eyed the instruction manual like it was a tax form. But surprise! It’s basically adult Legos. You lay out the liner (which, yes, looks like a giant blue pancake), connect the steel frames, and inflate the top ring. My 8-year-old “helped” by blowing raspberries at the pump. Two hours later—voilà! Instant oasis. The ladder? A nice touch for feeling fancy. The pump? A godsend for pretending you’re maintaining a “real” pool.

Scenario 1: Heatwave Hellscape  

Before: Kids glued to tablets, arguing over who gets to sit directly in front of the fan.  

After: Kids cannonballing into the pool while I float on a $5 inflatable unicorn, sipping iced coffee. (Pro tip: Use the pool wall as a drink holder. You’re welcome.)

Scenario 2: BBQ Party Panic  

Before: “Come over!” [Sweats in 90°F with one oscillating fan.]  

After: “Come over!” Gestures grandly to pool. Becomes hero. Retires early.

Scenario 3: Midlife Crisis Management  

Before: Contemplating botox.  

After: Realizing laughter lines from watching your dog paddle in circles > $1,000 injections.

Now, is it perfect? No. The pump hums like a disgruntled robot, and yes, you’ll fish out approximately 4,000 pine needles. But here’s the thing: This pool isn’t a luxury. It’s a survival tool. It’s the difference between “Mom, I’m bored!” and “Mom, watch me do a backflip!” (Spoiler: It’s a belly flop. But they’re happy.)

The APX 365 isn’t trying to be the Ritz-Carlton of pools. It’s the chill friend who says, “Hey, let’s just splash around and eat otter pops.” No permits, no concrete, no “waiting for the pool guy.” Just unapologetic, chlorine-free fun. (Okay, you do need chemicals. But they’re cheaper than therapy.)

Objections I Ignored (So You Don’t Have To):  

- “But where will I put it?”  

  Answer: Any flat-ish spot. We sacrificed the herb garden. Worth it.  

- “What about winter?”  

  Answer: Drain it, fold it, pretend it never happened. Like a one-night stand, but for summer.  

- “Will it look cheap?”  

  Answer: Yes. But so does my haircut, and I still rock it.

The best part? Watching my kids invite their friends over. Suddenly, I’m the “cool mom,” even though I’m still wearing the same sweatpants I’ve had since 2019. The pool’s become our tiny staycation spot—no airport security, no $15 smoothies, just pure, chlorinated joy.

So if you’re tired of sweating through summer while your kids ask Alexa for the weather every five minutes… maybe it’s time to embrace the giant blue pancake. It’s not a pool. It’s a rebellion against boring adulthood.

(And when the season ends? Deflate it, stash it in the garage, and deny all knowledge until next June.)  

If you hear a suspicious splashing noise at 10 p.m., mind your business. Midnight swims are a human right.