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

[Theonesatthefront]

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.

I think few minutes fun on a hot day is fine

Sounds like your husband using hose as a toy/babysitter though

I don't think yabu. There are lots of ways for kids to have fun with water in the garden. Have you seen those canal water system things? Mine loved them.

And when it's properly warm, a paddling pool, a slip slide, even a gentle sprinkle mat thing.

But randomly spraying gallons of water everywhere? No! Is it going over the neighbours fences too?

A hose is not a toy.
Get him a little children's watering can to play with instead.

You are a miserable killjoy. Pissing down with rain here so no need for hose.

Just manage it as you would any other activity. 5 minutes or whatever with some rules. Why can't he water the plants/fill up the bird bath etc.?

My 3 yo DGS LOVES the hose and being Fireman Sam. He is allowed to play with it with some rules in place such as not spraying us/dogs/chickens etc. Yes he gets soaked but so what - just change his clothes.

Why are you stuck inside! Why can't you be out there playing with him?

I can see both sides really. Maybe fun as an occasional treat but not for an everyday activity?

Get some
water guns. All the fun of spraying people and plants but they have to stop frequently to refill and that’s a fun activity and then it’s not just on all the time.

Why don’t I want to be covered head to toe in freezing cold water? Hmm. Let me think about that one.

I think one of the problems is that it’s hard to impose limits with DS: he’s constantly whining for the hose meaning we’re constantly changing clothes, outside is slippy and dangerous, it’s just a bit stressful for me (guess who does the laundry!) but fair enough.

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)

Absolutely not! I let mine water the plants and fill the paddling pool in summer, and I turn a blind eye if they get a little silly doing that but just out there ‘playing with the hose’ like it’s an activity akin to duplo or play doh or something, absolutely not!! Is it a lazy parenting thing from DH as it means he’s not bothered for a bit and doesn’t have to say no?!

Just say no when you don’t want him to and yes, 5 minutes, when you’re ok with it.
He’s whinging? So what? Keep saying no and he’ll stop. Offer something else, redirect him.
He’s going to whine for the things he wants. All the time. For many years to come. Time to learn ‘no’ and ‘I mean it’ and ‘ask one more time and it’s going away for a week’.
My teenagers still whine for stuff. They do know to stop when it’s very clear I’m not changing my mind.

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?

Sprinkler instead. Much more fun and much less mess

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.

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

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.

I mean I was on your side … but ok!

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.

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

@husbandcallsmepickle right and where do I dry them?

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.

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?

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.

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.

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.

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.