A swimming pool is a total privilege. But if you were lucky enough to grow up with one, you’ll know how much fun they can be. Not only do they make for a great break from a hot summer day, but they’re pretty important hangout spots for kids and their friends.
A woman who goes by swimmingpoolaita on Reddit made an agreement with her daughter years ago: they’d get a pool, but the daughter would have to help pay for it. Now, the daughter has a job, and the woman is expecting her to uphold the bargain. But with both the daughter and the woman’s husband saying she’s being unreasonable, the woman is asking AITA if she’s in the wrong.
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The User Shares What Went Down.
It All Started About Four Years Ago.
When OP’s daughter was 12, she asked for a pool. All of the daughter’s friends had one, and she felt left out. OP and her husband weren’t pool people but had the money for an in-ground pool. So, they agreed to get a pool for their daughter, so long as she paid for half of it when she was old enough to work. The daughter excitedly agreed.
Four years later, OP’s daughter is now 16 and has her first job. She wants to save up for a nice prom dress, but OP reminded her that she needs to pay for half of the pool. Both the daughter and the husband are bewildered, as neither of them thought the bargain was serious. OP, though, wants to teach her daughter how to be responsible with her money. Now, the daughter won’t talk to her, and the husband is mad as well.
The Comments Section Completely Sided Against OP.
It was pretty unrealistic of her to expect a teenager to pay for half of a swimming pool from the get-go. If the parents could afford to pay for the pool, why would they need the daughter to pay for half?
Others Wondered Why They Sprung For Such An Expensive Pool.
Pools cost tens of thousands of dollars to buy and install. Multiple commenters pointed out how there are much cheaper options, such as smaller, inflatable pools. Even a large above-ground pool would cost a lot less, and be just as fun.
In Any Case, OP Was Clearly In The Wrong.
So many users wondered why the deal wasn’t that the daughter could have the pool, but had to clean and help maintain it.
That would’ve been a much more reasonable deal for a preteen/teenager.
