4.Above ground pools come in many different shapes and sizes - from small inflatable pools you can buy at a department store to outlandish pools that you can build a deck around. How much money you want to spend and what type of pool you have in mind are two main factors in your decision making process.

5.While we realize you are most likely trying to keep costs of getting an above ground pool down, we suggest finding out how much it would cost to get someone to do installation for you. It might be quicker and easier for an experienced pool person to make sure your pool is installed properly and stably.

6.Lastly, check with your homeowners insurance and find out if any accidents are covered should you have a friend or family member over swimming in your pool. It is always better to be safe then sorry!

These are just a few important factors to consider when deciding if an above ground pool is right choice for you and your family this summer season. Most importantly, be sure to put a fence up around pool and never leave a child in water unattended!

Parent peace of mind was our third casualty. When your child gets a driver’s license, your peace of mind vanishes instantaneously until he or she proves to be responsible behind wheel. Not only does your automobile insurance skyrocket, but your anxiety does too. My older son let us off easy; he didn’t get his driver’s license until he was seventeen. (Statistically, older teens are less likely to die in fatal car crashes than younger ones). My 16-year old daughter gives me fits. She says all right things. (“Dad, I’ll not take more than one other friend in car” – our state restricts number of passengers younger teens can carry to limit distractions – but caves in to peer pressure.) We take away her driving privileges when she does something dangerous, which is a pain to have to drive her around again. I told her I’d rather she hate me for rest of her life than I have to bury her! Continue parenting to keep them safe, but not so tightly that they don’t learn responsibility and earn your trust.

Your heart expands as your child matures. You have to pull back, let him or her try things and learn from successes and failures. You can’t teach them vicariously; they have to learn it for themselves. Holding onto them too tightly causes them to push you away even harder, so why fight it. Let your relationship begin to blossom, and look at them as about to be minted adults and let your relationship begin to change.

Copyright 2005, Fruition Coaching. All rights reserved.