Page 7 | To be annoyed at this child and family (on holiday)

Blueeyedstork · 2026-05-28T23:14:36+00:00

We are in Spain at the moment with another couple and their kids. DH and I have one DS (13) a bit of backstory relevant to this is when I was 11 I was pushed out of a boat on the lake in the Lake District on a school residential trip and was not allowed to get changed until the rest of the activities that afternoon were finished. So I was wet and freezing cold. It also took someone ages to respond to the fact I had been pushed out the boat, so ever since then I have had a phobia of cold water and being out my depth. It’s got to the point where a single spash can freak me out so I stay out of the pool as I know it’s unreasonable on a family resort to ask kids not to splash. it’s my problem and I deal with it. anyway fast forward the last 2 days we have been sat on sunbeds and there is a family of 3 kids with water guns just squirting them at everyone on the sunbeds. The first time I jumped out of my skin. My husband asked them to stop and other people have asked them to stop including a family with a child with autism who was getting really upset. The parents just shrug and said we are by a pool so we should expect it. Eventually the mothers of the child with autism when to get one of the staff members and they were told to pack it in. today they were back doing the same thing. They got me twice and once in the face which really panicked me. The staff at the pool today were not bothered and would not tell them to stop so I spend the afternoon sitting away from the pool. I had been there about 10 minutes with my eyes shut before I feel this cold water on my face and one of the little buggers and stood there spraying right in my face. Well I feel off the chair and have injured my shoulder. My husband marched up to the staff and demanded the manager of the hotel. The lifeguard then actually asked the family to stop. Then coming back from evening meal tonight and we were suddenly all covered with water and one of the little buggers was stood outside his chalet squirting people going past but this time he has obviously been bought the biggest super soaker in the shop. The boy laughed and shouted “dad it’s the lady who screams when she is squirted” (I didn’t really scream just let out a yelp a few times). The dad burst out laughing. I had to hold DH back from confronting him. (The dad is built like a brick shit house and looks the type that would punch someone just for fun) anyway we when to reception and reported them but the staff don’t seem bothered. I kind of feel these boys will be out to get me tomorrow as they obviously find my reaction funny. the parents don’t give a toss we have 3 days left and I don’t want to be looking over my shoulder all the time. What can I do or am I being unreasonable about all this

MyArtfulGreySloth · 29/05/2026 09:31

If you were in the bloody pool then it’s expected you’ll get wet, not on the side on a sun lounger! The family are twats. Also what happened to you on your residential was awful op.

Allisnotlost1 · 29/05/2026 09:29

Mumandcarer80 · 29/05/2026 08:39

Have you never thought of getting some counselling? They are targeting you because they know they will get a good reaction. They’re kids that’s what they do. We’ve all been kids we all did this.

And I say that as someone who was chucked into a river fully clothed as a teenager by my friends boyfriend’s. Because I didn’t want to jump off the bridge some of the others had. I had to sit in wet clothes in my friend’s brothers car to get home. Then I had to walk home which is about a 40 minute walk.

FGS, no most kids didn’t and don’t do this. And given the spate of drownings in the news - some of which will be caused by cold water shock - no parent should be taking kids pushing others into water so lightly.

The kids are obnoxious little twats who’ve clearly never been corrected if they take pleasure in other people’s discomfort. The parents are bigger twats for encouraging it. Eventually they will get their comeuppance, people like that usually do. Always someone bigger, bolder and brattier. But for now @Blueeyedstork the way to go is probably complaining to the most senior member of staff, any reps and making it known to other guests that these kids are out of control and the hotel are doing nothing.

tinyladybird · 29/05/2026 09:27

There's always one family like this who have no respect for anyone else. Usually any parents are always shouting at their kids to keep thibgs within the pool or if they do soak someone by splashing or whatever, they apologise.

Petty, but bad reviews /social media usually sorts these things out as management don't want to put people off. I'd be put off a resort if I knew management weren't dealing with customers problems.

Flyingintotheunknown · 29/05/2026 09:26

StretchingShantyJugg · 29/05/2026 09:23

Why are you gaslighting the OP? She's clearly stated they are doing it to everyone, including an autistic child.

It's not 'what kids do', it's compeltely unacceptable behaviour and the parents are completely inept.

Show quote history

Yep. Imagine having counselling because other people can’t/ won’t control their kids. Why do people feel the need to jump to “counselling” as a solution to every issue that someone experiences

TheNinkyNonkyIsATardis · 29/05/2026 09:23

Flatandhappy · 29/05/2026 06:14

So probably a dick move but I would buy the biggest super squirter I could and when the kids start I would stand and direct it straight at them. I would also soak the parents on their sun loungers. Maybe a little squirt at breakfast too..

I don't know why people keep suggesting it because a) the kids would see it as all part of the fun and b) it messes up the complaint to the hotel if they've been engaging in the same behaviour and c) OP would probably get further splashed which she doesn't like!

StretchingShantyJugg · 29/05/2026 09:23

Mumandcarer80 · 29/05/2026 08:39

Have you never thought of getting some counselling? They are targeting you because they know they will get a good reaction. They’re kids that’s what they do. We’ve all been kids we all did this.

And I say that as someone who was chucked into a river fully clothed as a teenager by my friends boyfriend’s. Because I didn’t want to jump off the bridge some of the others had. I had to sit in wet clothes in my friend’s brothers car to get home. Then I had to walk home which is about a 40 minute walk.

Why are you gaslighting the OP? She's clearly stated they are doing it to everyone, including an autistic child.

It's not 'what kids do', it's compeltely unacceptable behaviour and the parents are completely inept.

RCMN26 · 29/05/2026 09:22

Eugh, what a nasty little shit and his prick of a dad as well, I hate families like this! I’d be tempted to push the little fucker in the pool (and worse).

You are not being unreasonable OP and have every right to enjoy your holiday. I’d see if there are any day trips you can do or a beach you can go to to avoid them if the hotel are not going to do anything about it unfortunately. Are there any sister hotels you are allowed to use?

MrsBennetsPoorNervesAreBack · 29/05/2026 09:14

Mumandcarer80 · 29/05/2026 09:10

ww I know that she a load of kids knock on my door and run off to ignore them. The more reaction they get for doing it the more they do it. Obviously the parents shouldn’t be encouraging it they sound like they have never grown out of it either.

Show quote history

You're free to ignore bad behaviour if you like, but please don't suggest that it's normal for kids to behave in such antisocial ways.

We had the issue of kids knocking on our door and running away. I never did that as a kid either, and neither did my dc. I ignored it a couple of times and the banging just got louder. We have elderly neighbours who might be scared by this behaviour, so I did go out and give them a strong telling off. I also spoke to one of the parents. The behaviour stopped.

fashionqueen0123 · 29/05/2026 09:14

Goodness I can’t imagine being at a hotel
and someone else’s kid spraying people with water guns. People would kick off!
If management isn’t doing anything then I’d start leaving bad reviews online right now.
And I’d grab the gun off the kid if they came anywhere near me.

NameChangeMay2026 · 29/05/2026 09:13

Buy your own water gun and spray the kids and parents when they're not expecting it.

MeridianB · 29/05/2026 09:12

Anyone would be unhappy about this,

Report to the hotel manager every single time. Ask him to act and instruct his staff to act. Liberal mentions of complaints to head office, trip advisor reviews and your friend who is a travel journalist.

Vaxtable · 29/05/2026 09:11

I would tell the manager they either sort the family out and get the water guns removed or you will be calling the local police as it’s assault

i would also point out to them you will also have no choice but to leave a bad review about the hotel allowing this to take place

Mumandcarer80 · 29/05/2026 09:10

MrsBennetsPoorNervesAreBack · 29/05/2026 08:53

Um, we really haven't all done this.

My parents would never have allowed me to behave in such a selfish and antisocial manner, and I would never have allowed dd to behave like this either. Having said that, she would never have thought to behave in this manner anyway, because she was brought up to have a basic level of respect and consideration for other people.

This really isn't normal behaviour but attitudes like yours do help to explain why some kids are allowed to behave so badly.

Show quote history

ww I know that she a load of kids knock on my door and run off to ignore them. The more reaction they get for doing it the more they do it. Obviously the parents shouldn’t be encouraging it they sound like they have never grown out of it either.

Youhadrambledonfor18pages · 29/05/2026 09:06

Mumandcarer80 · 29/05/2026 08:39

Have you never thought of getting some counselling? They are targeting you because they know they will get a good reaction. They’re kids that’s what they do. We’ve all been kids we all did this.

And I say that as someone who was chucked into a river fully clothed as a teenager by my friends boyfriend’s. Because I didn’t want to jump off the bridge some of the others had. I had to sit in wet clothes in my friend’s brothers car to get home. Then I had to walk home which is about a 40 minute walk.

“We’ve all been kids we all did this”

Speak for yourself- maybe you were brought up badly.
As a child I never deliberately squirted strangers round a pool or anywhere else, only consenting fellow participants in a water fight. But then I was taught basic respect for others.

PlaygroundAllDay43321 · 29/05/2026 09:06

I would have grabbed the toy and broken it every time.

Ladymuffins · 29/05/2026 09:04

And to the poster saying that kids do this and that we all have done it...
No.
My parents, who weren't strict, would have never allowed me to behave that way.
I would never allow my children to behave like that either.

It's not a kid's thing. It's targetting, bullying and antisocial behaviour at its finest. This is not your fault, OP.

whackwhackoops · 29/05/2026 09:04

MauriceTheMussel · 29/05/2026 00:26

I’d grab the little fuck’s gun and break it in front of him tbh

another vote for break it.. warn him once that you will break it if he does it again and when he does, make sure you do it around the pool so you get a round of applause :-) it will happen I can guarantee it

Youhadrambledonfor18pages · 29/05/2026 09:01

Yanbu at all, regardless of any kind of water phobia.

This is such antisocial behaviour, what a bunch of classless, uncouth people.

LeedsLoiner · 29/05/2026 09:00

I'd get one of the water pistols - I just wouldn't put tap water in it. I'd be putting the piss in pistol...

MrsBennetsPoorNervesAreBack · 29/05/2026 09:00

Ladymuffins · 29/05/2026 08:59

Escalate. Ask to speak to the hotel manager and explain very factually what happened, and that you were physically harmed as a result. That you're now being targeted and you're now afraid to use the hotel facilities etc. You have to highlight that the children are being encouraged by the parents to target you, and you are nor able to enjoy the holiday you paid for.

If they seem passive and unlikely to do anything, perhaps you might want to contact your tour operator and request to be moved to a different hotel for the reminder of the holiday.

If you booked the hotel independently but they belong to a group/chain contact them and request to be moved.

You'll probably have to make quite a bit of noise today I'm afraid.

This is good advice.

Ladymuffins · 29/05/2026 08:59

Escalate. Ask to speak to the hotel manager and explain very factually what happened, and that you were physically harmed as a result. That you're now being targeted and you're now afraid to use the hotel facilities etc. You have to highlight that the children are being encouraged by the parents to target you, and you are nor able to enjoy the holiday you paid for.

If they seem passive and unlikely to do anything, perhaps you might want to contact your tour operator and request to be moved to a different hotel for the reminder of the holiday.

If you booked the hotel independently but they belong to a group/chain contact them and request to be moved.

You'll probably have to make quite a bit of noise today I'm afraid.

LeedsLoiner · 29/05/2026 08:54

Livelovelaughfuckoff · 29/05/2026 07:24

How old are they? If young enough I would start by saying Santa isn’t real and then I would merrily teach them lots of swear words.

Kids like this already know them...

MrsBennetsPoorNervesAreBack · 29/05/2026 08:53

Mumandcarer80 · 29/05/2026 08:39

Have you never thought of getting some counselling? They are targeting you because they know they will get a good reaction. They’re kids that’s what they do. We’ve all been kids we all did this.

And I say that as someone who was chucked into a river fully clothed as a teenager by my friends boyfriend’s. Because I didn’t want to jump off the bridge some of the others had. I had to sit in wet clothes in my friend’s brothers car to get home. Then I had to walk home which is about a 40 minute walk.

Um, we really haven't all done this.

My parents would never have allowed me to behave in such a selfish and antisocial manner, and I would never have allowed dd to behave like this either. Having said that, she would never have thought to behave in this manner anyway, because she was brought up to have a basic level of respect and consideration for other people.

This really isn't normal behaviour but attitudes like yours do help to explain why some kids are allowed to behave so badly.

G5000 · 29/05/2026 08:50

It really isn't the issue that OP had those experiences in the past. I have no water phobia but I would be extremely pissed off if I was intentionally squirted in the face while sunbathing. And no I would never allow my kids to do that.

Pollymollydolly · 29/05/2026 08:50

Mumandcarer80 · 29/05/2026 08:39

Have you never thought of getting some counselling? They are targeting you because they know they will get a good reaction. They’re kids that’s what they do. We’ve all been kids we all did this.

And I say that as someone who was chucked into a river fully clothed as a teenager by my friends boyfriend’s. Because I didn’t want to jump off the bridge some of the others had. I had to sit in wet clothes in my friend’s brothers car to get home. Then I had to walk home which is about a 40 minute walk.

We were all kids but we most definitely did not all do this. They sound like a horrible family - even half decent parents would not allow their children to behave like this.