To be annoyed at this child and family (on holiday)

The type of parents who let the kids do this are not the type of parents to take retaliation without escalating it even further.

These chavy brash types who don't give a shit about anyone will not respond to things in the way most people do. They won't listen if OP reasons and asks nicely, they won't see the error of their ways if OP shows them how it feels.

If you are a decent normal person these types can be very intimating. The only way to deal with it is to get the hotel to sort it out. Or avoid staying at the hotel in the daytime, but if they doing it when people are passing all dressed up for the evening then it sounds pretty hard to avoid and miserable. Awful family

Even if you didn't have that traumatic incident in your past, this behaviour is completely unacceptable. What a bloody stressful thing to deal with on your holiday. I would make a formal complaint in writing, see how it is handled and follow up back home if needed.

God they sound out of control. Really annoying when you've probably been looking forward to this holiday for a while

if I am being honest...

The staff don't care and you've even said that the dad would batter your husband so there's nothing you can do other than avoid them... sit far away from them at the pool or go to the beach or something.

sounds alike you won't win this battle so just try and avoid them as your reaction is just making this worse.

I'm glad action has finally been taken. Imagine being the poor teachers of these little darlings.

The fucking irony.

I would take water guns off the kids and loudly declare that they need some parenting so you’re doing the job for their parents.

Complete brats good to hear the staff have finally grown a pair and addressed the issue. I was surprised they didn't by the pool, any resort I've been at they are so strict on this as it's an accident waiting to happen. I am very jealous of your vodka slushy.

On a side note it might be worth trying to address your phobia, I think you're really missing out on things because of it

This! I'm amazed no one's grabbed the waterguns and snapped them over their knees in a rage. I'd be absolutely furious.

not really necessary..... :(

I had this doing the washing up on a campsite, the kids were purposely getting me wet ( as they had done with everyone for a few days and it was annoying as the mum wouldn't do anything about their behaviour) with waters pistols etc - I dumped the washing up bowl over one of them - they ran off and got their mum. Who said I shouldn't treat little kids like that - so I told her if little kids want to get adults involved in their games this is the result, they need to find someone their own age to play water fights.

They didn't squirt any else for the entire time they were on the camp

Any balls near me I’d keep hold of. I remember years ago some annoying boys doing that in a town centre near me. When one hit me I was conveniently next to a waste bin.
You should have started the clapping!

Crap parenting unfortunately, glad the staff are dealing with them now.

What vile behaviour. I’m glad everyone is finally standing up to this behaviour. It’s so entitled to think their enjoyment comes at the expense of everyone else.
enjoy the rest of your holiday OP

I voted you are being unreasonable because you should have let your husband have words with the kids dad.

I hate arsehole parents, they’re the reason you get arsehole kids

I see the water issue has been resolved.
But, for future reference, sometimes, with the emphasis on sometimes, you can get a bit further with these type of people by appealing to their better nature.
Because they are anti social and their kids are a pest, they will be very well used to being complained about and tutted at.
This tends to result in increased defiance and taking a kind of pride in sticking two fingers up at 'the snobs'.
Sometimes, you can get better outcomes by treating them as though they're decent. Explain you're frightened of water, ask if they could please help...
It might choke you, but if it gets the desired outcome, it can be worth it. You'll never see them again anyway.

Hi OP
I read your post at a quiet point this morning at work and just popped on before heading off to see how things turned out. Glad to hear they have been reprimanded!
Hope you enjoy the last couple of days of your holiday!

Same holiday nonsense as prevoous post basically lazy pissed up parents leaving THIER kids unchecked ! Its lovely to hear kids having fun on holiday ! When my boy was 8-14 we went to turkey every year because hotels had aquaparks to keep young uns entertained all day every year id buy a big dinghy with oars and on last day leave it with a family for thier kids to enjoy! Anyway lady year had it tied up outside apartment next morning it was gone when we got to pool family next door had untied it and kids had claimed it so i confronted parents whos answer was if u take it now youll break thier hearts!! And these are the arseholes your dealing with ! I let kids finish day with it and they brought it back later so i give it to them but arsehole lazy parents boil my piss

Oh, the irony!

You have my sympathy! Hope they are starting to get the hint and you can enjoy the time you have left!
I'm not long back a holiday and there was one family standing out at our kids pool as well...similar really, water guns/using other toys to deliberately soak people on the sunbeds and young toddlers. The youngest (I'd guess around 5) pushed my 2.5yo really hard down a slide when he was trying to sit down at the top 😭so lucky he wasn't hurt! I shouted at him but he just looked at me like I was stupid and carried on.
They also kept running up every slide and stopping other kids going down etc. Just absolute little shits!! Parents were not even looking at them never mind trying to stop them.
Almost as annoying as the kids was the life guard constantly standing blowing a whistle at them and getting completely blanked. I think his intention was to alert the parents so that they could deal with them but they didn't even look up! Even if the kids weren't mis-behaving, you'd think an occasional glance up to check they were there/safe would be a good idea? The mind boggles...

I can get a fair picture of this type of family from your descriptions. Sounds like the parents don’t give a shit and would be more than happy to come to the defence of their kids anti-social behaviour as if it’s some sort of entitlement.

My advice would be to not escalate and just try to avoid them. Bloody annoying, I know, but I can’t see any good coming from antagonising them. Leaving a poor review of the hotel and saying why is probably your best option. It’s up to the hotel management to sort as I expect that the staff are intimated by them and it’s not worth their low-paid jobs to get involved.

I'd complain and make it clear you will be requesting compensation if this doesn't get dealt with. In UK yes it would be assault but not sure where you are - I would also threaten to contact the police. As for the family in question, I would consider picking up their smallest child and throwing it in the deep end if this carries on.