Need advice within 3 minutes - I threatened to empty the paddling pool if they kept playing with the hose

[HectorsHouse]

I threatened this mornign that it would be emptied and put away if they kept messign with the hose

They just went out again and asked if I would still empty it if they touched the hose .. I said yes .. they turned on the hose .. took 4 requests to get him to stop

they are now sitting on the stairs .. I have 3 minutes to decide whether paddling pool must be emptied or not

what do I do?

[NotADragonOfSoup]

Empty the pool.

[fingerwoman]

empty it.

[Trinityrhino]

must be emptied I'm afraid

and next time don't threatne that, threaten something else

[HectorsHouse]

playing with water = lots of fun

ignoring parental request = bad behaviour

its hot outside

[Marina]

Empty the pool.

[EllieG]

EMpty it. You have to stick by your word or look ineffective and they will know you are full of hot air.

But maybe put a timescale on it - fill it up again tomorrow or next day perhaps?

[foxinsocks]

yes, you'll have to empty it

(however, even I play with the hose in the garden so I think your expectations may be a leeeeeeeetle high)

[harleyd]

empty it!

[Trinityrhino]

true foxinsocks

[alipiggie]

Empty the pool. You have to follow through on what you said you'd do.

[NotADragonOfSoup]

Never make threats you aren't prepared to carry out.

[HectorsHouse]

oh gawd . he looks distraught

and I got my jeans wet

[Smithy]

Empty the pool!

[EllieG]

Well done you. Your jeans will recover and so will little one x

[NotADragonOfSoup]

Hopefully he'll have learnt that you mean what you say. At least for a day or two anyway...

[HectorsHouse]

can I fill it up again in 10 minutes?

[NotADragonOfSoup]

I wouldn't. I'd leave it til tomorrow.

[NotADragonOfSoup]

I'm harsh

[NotADragonOfSoup]

If it had happened in the morning, I would have re-filled it in the afternoon but not this late on.

[GoingThroughChanges]

No. Tomorrow

I learnt not to make threats I wasn't capable of carrying out

[HectorsHouse]

luckily they are now drawing pics for DH birthday

still wish I'd kept my big fat mouth shut over emptying the soddin' pool though

[LoveMyGirls]

Things like this are good if you are prepared to carry them out though it teaches that you mean what you say. I can remember when dd1 was younger and i said id take her stereo off her until she was good again she didnt believe me until i did it and then she was distraught i kept to it and a few days later (after her being an angel) she got it back - AND was good for a good few weeks because if she played me up i said stop it now or ill take your stereo and she was good immediately because she knew i would do it.