Holiday mum keeps sending her son over to us repeatedly

[ItsPriya]

Currently on holiday - 2 week AI with husband and teenage daughter. Had a really busy year and was really looking forward to downtime and just recharging with the 3 of us.
On the second day was relaxing by the pool when a little boy about 4yo dropped his goggles near my lounger. Threw them into the pool for him, he threw them back and we had a little game of catch with them. Really sweet kid, thought no more of it.
Went to the buffet that night and the boy appeared at my feet as I was getting my food, started pulling at my arm, hanging off me whining "play with me" and asking me to go outside with him to play?!
My daughter came up to me and said she'd been passing his parents table and heard the mum say "he's whinging because hes tired, I told him to go play with that woman from earlier." Laughing and drinking while I'm trying to get my food and stop her kid from getting lost or hurt.
Went to sit down, said "I'm eating now, so go back to Mummy." Watched him go back over, his mum looked really annoyed, said something to him and he came back!
He said "my mum said I can sit with you until you're done then we can play."
Tried to eat but he was non stop, picking things up, touching things, whinging - not my child, why am I dealing with this?!
In the end DH walked him back over and firmly said we were trying to eat. Mum had the nerve to ask if our daughter had ever been a toddler.
Anyway, he harassed me at the entertainment that night to the point we left as I couldn't see his Mum so dropped him with the entertainment team. Makes DH very uncomfortable as he's very full on, climbing on our knees, wrapping his legs around us.
Breakfast this morning - he's actually waiting at the double doors and it was a repeat of the previous night. I actually suspect Mum is hiding from us.

What do I do?!

My ex was pretty robust over stuff like this.

We were on holiday in Ireland in the 90's and a similar situation to this was brewing and he went to the mother and whispered that if she didn't get control of her offspring right now, he, 'would teach it to say my mother is a cunt'.

It helped that he was built like a brick shithouse and could handle himself in any situation but the low key approach worked.

This is nuts😮. Are people actually this brazen?!. Leaving her child alone to find you😳. Some people make it so hard to be nice as they always take advantage.

Poor child, poisonous parents.

I also think that it's very easy to sit at home on your sofa and post abot how the OP should be doing X or Y, and waxing lyrical about the poor wee neglected lamb starved of attention and how the OP "should" be looking out for him, and indulging him, and being kind, and what sort of life he must have yadda yadda. You're not the one who is in the situation having your holiday disrupted.

Also it’s very easy for everyone to say “oh well, I wouldnt stand for this! I would be telling that mother very firmly that I will not look after her child”. OP has made it clear that this woman is part of a group, all of whom are rough as arseholes, have access to unlimited alcohol and a tendency to throw around really nasty comments. Plus they are the sort that dont give a shit that their child might have a nasty accident or go off with a dodgy stranger!

OP - hope you had a lovely time yesterday and that the trash takes itself out today!!

Oh thats brilliant.

And of course you can tell a child that age cunt means anything.

As a teen I knew a girl with an much younger sibling, who overhead the word bastard, kid asked what it meant, another friend jumped in 'oh it means you really like them'

The LO was then wandering around calling all sorts of people bastards.

If all else fails aim to introduce him to other kids a similar age to him where they’re playing, is there a kids club?

So you're putting the ball back into the OP's court then? She should book him into the kids club, and pay for this if necessary?

I've followed this thread with interest as it reminds me of what might happen when you blend alcohol, neglect, kids and swimming pools.

Spain in the 70s. I was about eleven. Mum was sleeping off a skinful in the hotel, so daddio had to 'take care' of me and sis, about seven. We were at the pool. It adjoined a bar. Dad thought he could keep an eye on us while having a bit of a drink with the lads.

I was near the pool as the baying laddish laughter roared from the bar. Then I saw my sister's arms waving frantically in the air from the water. The rest of her was underwater. She had got out of her depth and slipped out of her inflatable ring.

I remembered my life saving lessons that said do what you can from the shore and don't jump in. I threw myself flat and hauled her out. Somehow this sudden movement had attracted attention from the bar, and abruptly we were surrounded by shouting guys claiming credit for the rescue. 'It's all right. The adults are here now...'

Dad said 'Don't tell yer mother.' Right. Anyway I would have been a good scapegoat if sis had in fact drowned. I also considered myself lucky for not getting a thick ear for getting my clothes wet after throwing myself flat in the puddles. I guess that was 'thank you.'

I'm desperate to know if these scrotes have buggered off home 😅

It was a moment of joy, it has to be said but with a lot of families, these words are in use on a daily basis already.

At a school reunion a couple of years back, a woman I went to school with was proud that her son's first words were "Bastpissoff".

BASTPISSOFF! Hilarious but ...not really! My Dad used to give us a serious telling off if we used the term 'damned'. I got detention at primary in the early 70's for calling my nemesis a 'little perisher', a term I learned from a neighbour, directed at her cat.

How times have changed.

@ItsPriya

Have they gone home today?

They have left!!! Seen getting on the transfer bus around an hour ago. DD and DH had wandered into town to get some bits while I got ready and saw them waiting outside the hotel with their cases.
Little boy was sat on a bench alone (of course 😪) and DD said goodbye to him. She didn't tell DH at the time but she'd bought her friend one of them little mini teddy bears that have a T Shirt with the name of the place we're visiting on. She gave it to the little boy and I'm really proud of her kindness rightly or wrongly she did it from her heart.
I'm very happy and relieved that they're gone but I don't think I'll forget his little face for a long time.

How lovely of your DD. Enjoy the rest of your holiday OP!

That brought a tear to my eye. How lovely of your daughter.

I sincerely hope that he gets more attention behind closed doors. Poor little chap.

Thanks for the update. Now breathe and chill…….

Your DD is a sweetheart. Takes after her Mum.

Enjoy the rest of your holiday.

Your daughter is an absolute sweetheart.

Great news ! Enjoy your holiday now & what a lovely thoughtful little girl you are are raising! Thanks for the update & have a nice large glass of uninterrupted wine at lunch!

How lovely is your DD. What a kind gesture and you are a lovely family

Very sweet gesture from your daughter you must be very proud of her. Glad those numbskulls have gone. Enjoy the rest of your holiday :)

This made me cry. What a lovely little girl, you should be so proud of her x

I'm so glad it's sorted OP. Have a great rest of your hols.

So glad this scummy family have left. What a wonderful kind daughter you have. Now get busy enjoying the rest of your holiday with your lovely family.

how sad for the little boy 😭 I can understand why you felt some kind of responsibility for him , why didn’t they pick a hotel with a kids club and put him in that !? Not that it makes it right but still , lovely gesture from your daughter ❤️ may I ask what country you’re in ?

That's good but I think most of us have a lot of sympathy for the little boy, how nice that your daughter gave him the bear. I hope he doesn't end up too affected by his uninterested family

You were extremely kind and that little boy will no doubt remember you and your DD for quite a while.
You probably made his holiday.