Active discussions

Please or to access all these features

Talk
AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To not want DS(3) to play with the garden hose?

61 replies

Theonesatthefront · 06/05/2024 17:30

Reasons are that firstly, massive waste of water.

Second. We’re all stuck inside while DS runs amok with hose.

Third, can’t open the door as he sprays the water inside (made a horrendous mess this morning and soaked everyone’s shoes)

Fourth, gets drenched himself meaning more washing clothing changes etc.

So IMO all good reasons. DH does not agree. I’m wondering who is BU. I will take it if you all think I’m just a miserable killjoy.

OP posts:
WhereIsMyLight · 06/05/2024 19:23

Everyone has an activity that they hate doing with their kids, where the stress for you outweighs the enjoyment for the kids. I hate baking with my DC. I wouldn’t be happy with hose play - it’s a huge waste of water and if the hose has been sat out in hot weather can be dangerous. We do water ply with a watering can as it’s not wasting as much water, it’s once a day (max) and the change of clothes doesn’t bother me. So option 1 is to say no to the hose and watering can, once a day only. Or option 2 is that it’s a daddy only activity. I don’t bake, DH does that with DC. He deals with clean up.

Original poster
Theonesatthefront · 06/05/2024 19:19

Tumble dryer.

OP posts:
Createausername1970 · 06/05/2024 19:18

Theonesatthefront · 06/05/2024 18:37

Be nice if that could be imposed @parietal but we do need consistency. I’m around all the time ergo I get stuck with the laundry.

@ZipZapZoom

A paddling pool isn’t usually something you go in with clothes on! It’s a pain getting dressed and undressed multiple times a day and plus a paddling pool is good weather only. I don’t actually line dry clothes either.

How do you dry them?

booktokbear · 06/05/2024 19:16

My ds lose nothing more than getting soaked with the hose on the trampoline.

It's a bit of fun, clothes can be dried after, live a little.

ZipZapZoom · 06/05/2024 19:14

Theonesatthefront · 06/05/2024 18:46

Who, him or me?

There are other reasons as I outlined in my OP. To be honest I don’t want the faff of multiple clothing changes a day, every day (no, children don’t go in paddling pools in their clothes generally in my world!)

Why does it have to be multiple times a day. Surely you implement boundaries around when it's ok to play with water and when it's not.

Also it really is totally normal for small children to play in water and paddling pools in shorts and tshirts so no need to get him changed just let him get wet, take him inside when it's time to go in and then get him changed. Leave the clothes he wore outside to dry. There's no need to wash them he can wear them again once dry unless they are dirty.

Lindtnotlint · 06/05/2024 19:08

I think multiple changes a day due to soaking self with hose in April is way beyond “Normal fun relaxed water play”. Reasonable to cut back (or insist on swimwear) if it is a multiple times a day activity!

kiwiane · 06/05/2024 19:05

It can also be dangerous as water sitting in the hose can get really hot. I wouldn’t let him play with it as it’s a pain in the arse soaking everyone for the sake of a child getting their way.

ILoveYouItsRuiningMyLife · 06/05/2024 18:56

Mine are obsessed with water balloons.

it’s a pain in the arse but sometimes you need to just get on with such pain in the arse things.

Shetlands · 06/05/2024 18:51

Could you tell him it's Daddy's hose so he can only play with it when Daddy's outside with him? Then Daddy can sort out the clothes as well.

Original poster
Theonesatthefront · 06/05/2024 18:46

Who, him or me?

There are other reasons as I outlined in my OP. To be honest I don’t want the faff of multiple clothing changes a day, every day (no, children don’t go in paddling pools in their clothes generally in my world!)

OP posts:
Tospyornottospy · 06/05/2024 18:45

Theonesatthefront · 06/05/2024 18:37

Be nice if that could be imposed @parietal but we do need consistency. I’m around all the time ergo I get stuck with the laundry.

@ZipZapZoom

A paddling pool isn’t usually something you go in with clothes on! It’s a pain getting dressed and undressed multiple times a day and plus a paddling pool is good weather only. I don’t actually line dry clothes either.

Why can’t you just strip off and use a towel poncho when inside?

ZipZapZoom · 06/05/2024 18:42

Most of the small children I know have been in paddling pools in their clothes that's quite normal?

Is there any reason you don't like dry, honestly in nice weather kids clothes dry in no time at all.

Original poster
Theonesatthefront · 06/05/2024 18:37

Be nice if that could be imposed @parietal but we do need consistency. I’m around all the time ergo I get stuck with the laundry.

@ZipZapZoom

A paddling pool isn’t usually something you go in with clothes on! It’s a pain getting dressed and undressed multiple times a day and plus a paddling pool is good weather only. I don’t actually line dry clothes either.

OP posts:
ZipZapZoom · 06/05/2024 18:31

Theonesatthefront · 06/05/2024 18:26

It’s impossible to dry anything outside with a child going rogue with a hose.

To be honest I don’t think asking on here IS making a mountain out of a molehill. It’s a straightforward enough question and has elicited different opinions. Surely it’s a fairly standard question?

Well logically you hang them up to dry once you've finished playing with the hose, the same as you do with any water play.

Honestly never thought to question if it was something worth questioning. The same as any game outside if I can be bothered with the faff he can play with the hose or have the paddling pool out etc if I can't be arsed with putting it all away or it's not going to be sunny for long he's plenty of other things to play with.

parietal · 06/05/2024 18:26

If DH wants to be in charge of the 'play with hose' game, then DH has to supervise and do the cleanup (laundry etc).

if you are in charge, then tell DC that is it not hose time and find him something different to do.

Original poster
Theonesatthefront · 06/05/2024 18:26

It’s impossible to dry anything outside with a child going rogue with a hose.

To be honest I don’t think asking on here IS making a mountain out of a molehill. It’s a straightforward enough question and has elicited different opinions. Surely it’s a fairly standard question?

OP posts:
ZipZapZoom · 06/05/2024 18:17

This sounds like a massive mountain out of a mole hill. Let him play with the water and then dry the clothes outside. It's really not a hill to die on, in England it's rarely warm enough to want to play in the garden with a hose.

Original poster
Theonesatthefront · 06/05/2024 18:08

If you want to communicate to someone that you are on their ‘side’ in the future, not swearing at them is advisable Hmm

@husbandcallsmepickle right and where do I dry them?

OP posts:
husbandcallsmepickle · 06/05/2024 18:01

Why extra laundry? It's only water, exactly the same water as you wash in. Let the clothes dry and put them back on, they're not dirty.

Youcannotbeseriousreally · 06/05/2024 18:00

Theonesatthefront · 06/05/2024 17:51

It is rather hard when one parent says no and one says yes, hence I would like DH and I to have a consistent approach where we either say yes or no.

There is absolutely no need to be so bloody rude.

Show quote history

I mean I was on your side … but ok!

Original poster
Theonesatthefront · 06/05/2024 17:51

Youcannotbeseriousreally · 06/05/2024 17:40

Ffs he is 3 and you’re the parent! if you want to say no then just say no!! ( it not like it’s hot and it is an insane waste)

It is rather hard when one parent says no and one says yes, hence I would like DH and I to have a consistent approach where we either say yes or no.

There is absolutely no need to be so bloody rude.

OP posts:
Tospyornottospy · 06/05/2024 17:47

Will be easier when it’s warmer as he can just be naked and then no laundry! Plus keep a towel poncho at hand he can throw on after in case he then wants to warm up/go back out

winewolfhowls · 06/05/2024 17:47

Oh hose is fun! Have you not played the game where you pretend to turn around quickly and accidentally on purpose spray the kids. Alternatively try AquaPlay sets for hours of soggy fun.

MinervaMcGonagallsCat · 06/05/2024 17:47

Sprinkler instead. Much more fun and much less mess

whatsappdoc · 06/05/2024 17:47

Why are you assuming the burden of the mess and extra laundry? If dh is in favour of the hose then surely the aftermath is his responsibility?