Another water-based activity that Aidan loves is time spent in his paddling pool! If he had to choose between that and wading on the big pool step, he’d probably choose the latter, but a paddling pool is great for a cool-down on the stoep on a hot summer’s day! In fact he loves getting in and out so much, that my temperature-sensitive son doesn’t seem to mind that water directly from our hosepipe is absolutely freezing. He has no notion of not coming into the house dripping wet though, so we keep a stack of towels by the front door.
We used to wrangle Aidan into a swim diaper each time we popped him into his paddling pool, but he grew out of the biggest sizes of them within a season. Next we tried proper little swimming trunks but as cute as they were, he absolutely loathed them because they had hard, itchy stitching at the leg line. He also wasn’t terribly fond of the inner netting at the crotch. He far preferred to be completely naked – sun’s out, buns out!
Getting suncream onto his very pale skin between the ages of one and two, was a workout of its own! So we placed the paddling pool under some trees where he had a little more protection, and practiced him not being able to get in until he was fully creamed up. It took about two weeks of working through tantrums for him to comply with the sun protection, but we got there in the end. Now, Aidan is visibly excited to see the cream come out, because he knows there’s a super fun outdoor activity in store for him! As with everything with a child on the spectrum who has certain sensitivities, good associations are crucial to getting things done. Especially when it comes to safety measures. For instance, my husband Monty will refuse to start the car until Aidan is properly and securely buckled into his car seat, no matter the meltdown. It’s been a hard rule since the very first day we brought our kiddo home from the hospital. So even though we’re experiencing a lot of boundary pushing at three-years-old, Aidan knows we’re not going anywhere until he complies with this precaution. Consistency is key!
There are lots of different ways to jazz-up paddling pool time. Aidan has always loved cause and effect, and toys that make noise or light-up. When he was little, he’d be endlessly entertained by a paddling pool full of clinking metal teaspoons! Sometimes the simplest things can be real winners! As he grew older, we introduced boats and wind-up bath toys to the mix. He also loved systematically emptying the paddling pool with a cup or bucket. It’s a huge mess, but it made him so happy! We also used vegetable dyes and bath bombs to turn the water different colours, and he’d “paint” the stoep with his fingertips. He absolutely adored the way the bath bombs would float, fizz, foam, and disappear, but we had to retire them early when I realised that what I assumed was a touch of heat rash, was actually his ultra sensitive skin reacting to the chemicals in them. We now use fragrance-free everything! And that’s been a journey in and of itself, but they may work great for your own kiddo!
Aidan loved his paddling pool so much, that he’d go and fetch it from where it stood against the wall in the driveway, prompting us to fill it with water. We always flushed it out before doing so, to get rid of any dirt, cobwebs, or spiders. Our super impatient kiddo would usually have a wobble at this point, particularly if he’d prompted us to fetch and fill it. So we made a game out of washing it out! First we’d spray the paddling pool, then the front gate, then the trailer garage roof, then the car, and back to the paddling pool. Sometimes we even sprayed each other! It was a bit laborious, but we managed to redirect him, and ease the waiting period and transition to playtime for him. I suspect that every parent reading this is a Grand Master at distraction at this point! We learned to be too!
At the end of a paddling pool day we’d all be soaking wet, rosy cheeked, and happy. And it was then straight into a warm bath for Aidan, where he continued playing with his toys to his heart’s content. Getting these sessions setup and tidied away was a bit of a mission in all honesty, and the mess was momentous, but our boy’s happiness and joy was worth every effort! Looking back, I think the paddling pool was one of my favourites too!
