Thanks for replying, SecretGarden.

That's an idea, but to be honest I'm not sure it'd be much better...I'd still be alone most of the time, just not before or after. There's really not much to do there if you aren't swimming. It might just make things worse seeing them having fun and not being part of it.

Yep, I've tried quite a few different types - applicator, non-applicator, very small, ones with a gel or something similar...nothing seems to work. I don't know what the problem is. My sister (three years younger than me) seems to have no trouble using them, but my mum can't. I'd be far too embarrassed to ask my sister, it was hard enough posting this here!

Well, there's the internet, I guess. Although I should be going soon, staying on for too long makes my head hurt.