Sweetie Misses Out - Because of Me

It may say it's spring on our calendars, but here in the Northeast, we still have snow on the ground (with more to come!), temps in the 40's, and a general sense of still needing to bundle up. At least I do.
 
Until, that is, I walked into Sweetie's class yesterday and was greeted by her best friend, who excitedly informed me that I (and Sweetie, presumably) am going to be invited to her upcoming pool party!
 
Then, upon arriving home, seeing in our mail that Sweetie had recieved an invitation to another friend's birthday party - to be held at the local health center. The theme? A pool party!
 
Ugh. I can't deal with this.
 
Yeah, my less-than-thrilled state has a little to do with the still chilly weather. I can't even fathom digging out Sweetie's swimsuit (a suit that will, no doubt, no longer fit her because she's doing what kids do - growing like a weed!). But, more to the point, I cannot get myself excited about being involved in such shenanegans - now or at any time of year!
 
I don't do swimming.
 
Oh sure, I'm able to swim. I mean, I could keep myself from drowning if thrown into a pool and told to swim for my survival. I just don't swim well. And I plain ol’ don't enjoy it.
 
Going to the beach or pool is fine. Sunbathing is great! But swimming? No thanks, I'll pass.
 
Plus, even if I did like swimming, it takes me a bit more effort before I can actually get in the pool, what with taking off my braces and figuring out a safe way to get myself to the water without the aid of  said braces. And then, once I'm in, I'm pretty much stuck there until I'm done. No in-and-out/running around the perimeter of the pool for me. I just can't do it (not that anyone should, mind you. Safety first!)
 
Therefore, as you can see - I cannot be the parent in charge of keeping Sweetie safe and secure at either of these parties. And considering that Sweetie herself doesn't yet know how to swim, that's a Big Problem. Somebody has to be with her at all times.
 
I also happen to know - without even having to ask him - that Hubby will in no way want to be the in-pool/Sweetie watching parent either. Hubby don't play that. Like me, he's capable of swimming if need be. But it's simply not the sport for him.
 
And so, I'm afraid I'll have to decline both invitations on Sweetie's behalf. I've already told Sweetie this, explaining that since she can't swim, she can't go. Remarkably, she actually didn't seem too distraught by this news, preferring instead to carry on her excitement over receiving actual mail in the first place.
 
At the same time, though - I feel bad. I'm betting that most other kids invited will be able to go to the designated party. Either by virtue of the invitee knowing how to swim, or simply because said kids have less stodgy parents than Sweetie does - parents who don't mind stripping down to their swimsuits and jumping in the pool with all the other crazies (errrr, I mean "kids").
 
I'd like to think that if I wasn't disabled - and therefore my prepping for and mobility during swimming wasn't so impaired - that I'd be up for the role of in-pool parent with no reservations whatsoever. Yes! Sweetie wants to go to this party and, gosh darn it, I won't stop her! I'll help her! I'm the Can-Do mom! Yee haw!
 
Alas - I am not. This is one kids theme party I cannot handle on my own. And so, because of my inability, Sweetie will have to miss out.
 
How many other things will Sweetie have to miss because of me? And don't even get me started on realizing all the things Sweetie's already missed. Trips with Mama to the park? Nope. Playdates with friends? Also not so easy for me to handle on my own. Ugh! She may not care so much right now, but one day - she will.
 
And I'm sure she'll not be shy about letting me know.