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

[Blueeyedstork]

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

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

not really necessary..... :(

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

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

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.

The fucking irony.

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

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.

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

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.

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

I would be livid

How do you get your own back on feral kids who keep firing water guns at you to the point of you being injured? Their parents just laugh and enable this behaviour
18:02
That's really frustrating — parental indifference makes it so much harder to resolve. Here are your best options when the parents are part of the problem:
Bypass the parents entirely
Since the parents are useless, don't waste more energy on them. Go straight to whoever has authority over the space.
If at a hotel/resort

• Escalate firmly to the duty manager or general manager — not just front desk staff. Explain the parents have been approached and are encouraging it.
• Use the word "injury" and ask them to log a formal incident report. This triggers their insurance and liability obligations and tends to produce fast results.
• Request that the family be banned from the pool area or given a formal warning. Resorts can and do remove guests for this.

If in a public space

• Local police or beach wardens — with parents actively enabling it, this shifts from nuisance to something more serious.
• In the UK, parents can be held responsible for their children's behaviour under antisocial behaviour legislation.

Document everything

• Film it discreetly on your phone — parents laughing and encouraging is actually important evidence that the behaviour is deliberate and enabled.
• Photograph any injuries.

The satisfying legal angle

• Repeatedly causing physical injury, even with a water gun, can constitute assault regardless of the child's age.
• Parents who actively encourage it could potentially share liability.

Nuclear option

• A calm, direct conversation in front of witnesses where you make clear you're considering involving police tends to cut through even the most brazen parents.

Buy one yourself and put undiluted ribena in it

Bucket of water. Everytime they splash you bucket of water in face of parent.

Why should they change their plans or be out of pocket to accommodate one family of idiots?
hold on……are these your kids??

Perfect. They could hardly complain!

Glad they have been dealt with more forcefully. It’s horrible for the others who have also had encounters with them but at least you have the peace of mind that they didn’t just have it in for you. They must be notorious wherever they live. How do people end up like this?

I bloody love this thread of replies, especially considering your username, @DyslexicPoster ! 😂😂

This. Over and Over again.

Im so sorry you are on a holiday with this behaviour. I do believe you too as their are a few parents like this. We were at the park recently and their was a family that were getting kicks out of upsetting others. It was like weird how the mum was proud the kids were disrupting others. Their son went to bully my 8yr old with ASD so my 12yr old walked over and he is a solid kid. Stood there and smiled at the boy. Boy suddenly decided my 8yr old wasn't a great target. lol Honestly I was in shock that any of this was happening in a public park. I had little ones there as well. The dad looked like a right thug. I don't get it never will. Anyway we ended up leaving as it wasn't worth the stress. But on a holiday that would totally suck.

I am trying to deal with my phobia. If the water is nice and warm I have no issue getting in it at all. It’s when it has that chill as soon as it goes past my legs I start having a panic attack. I worked with my husband last year at a quieter resort and did manage to dip my shoulders in and lie on a lilo, I was very proud of myself. I will also paddle in the sea.

this resort though is full of kids. The water is pretty cold and I know I will get splashed by kids just playing normally so I have kept away from the pool. It’s not spoiled the holiday as DS has his friend, my DH and his friends Dad will go in the pools no issue. My best mate who is the mum of the other kids is disabled and she struggles with the pool and stuff so we have been quite happy chatting and having a few drinks. I then get involved with the out of pool stuff such as crazy golf and football etc x

I was a holiday rep for years.

I absolutely can believe every detail of what you post.

these families holiday live amongst us 🙄

The irony….

😂😂