You pack the swimsuit, rash guard, armbands, hat, sunscreen, and half the house — and the real work hasn't even started.
At the pool, armbands stick to wet skin, the rash guard bunches up, the hat falls off, and your child is either scared or fighting the floaties. So you end up holding them the entire time, one arm under their belly, the other keeping their head up, while your back slowly gives up.
The usual options don't make it much easier. Armbands can slip and keep kids too upright. Life jackets are bulky and hot. Puddle jumpers can feel stiff and uncomfortable. Swim lessons help, but between lessons you're back to the same struggle.
Pool day with a toddler shouldn't be this much work.