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.

It’s actually pretty dangerous to let children play with tools generally- they need to know the difference between toys and tools, to keep them safe.

In this case, come summer he could be badly scalded or scald someone else if her turns the hosepipe on someone before it’s been checked.

Let him stay wet for a while, if he gets cold and uncomfortable it might put him off a bit. If you immediately dry him off put in dry clothes and then he goes out and does it again no way.

You don't need to wash his clothes. It's clean water. Just dry and use again. He does need supervising though.

Where we live, the houses are so close together that if I let my DC play with the hose (which they'd love), they'd soak Mr Annoying Loudly WFH In The Garden and his laptop 😂. Which would be very funny but I don't fancy the bill for replacing it.

Can your DC not just go naked? So much easier for everyone involved.

Just give him some rules for playing with hose. If he breaks them, or keeps you, the adult, prisoner in your own house because he's naughty, take the hose away.
It isn't rocket science, nor one or other option.

Don't let him go rogue then. Punish him. Remove him from vicinity of hose.

@VestibuleVirgin i think this is the point: I know DS will not follow rules. He just hasn’t got the sense or maturity. So then he breaks the rules and you take the hose away = massive tantrum. I would prefer simply avoid with a ‘we don’t play with the hose, sorry.’ DH however doesn’t. So we have a very inconsistent approach at the moment which I’m conscious isn’t good.

It's the inconsistencies that means he can't follow the rules though, as they are constantly changing by the sound of it. No wonder he gets frustrated and has a tantrum. If you're consistent with them then he'll be able to play with the hose and you stay dry, as well as heed a warning if he looks in danger of getting too silly.

I’m neither for or against playing with the hose but if he is playing with it make sure it’s turned on by an adult and the water runs for a minute or two before playing with it. Children have had horrific scalding burns from water that’s say inside the hose and lay in the sun!

I'm reading this reminiscing about when my Ds was playing fireman Sam in the garden and fed the hose through the cat flap to put out a pretend fire in the kitchen 😱