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

This. And have a rant on their Facebook page. That will get their attention pretty quickly too.

Although I also like the bucket of water option too - for the parents.

The management apparently had a word last night so no water pistols today. But we now have balls being kicked all over the sunbeds by the little darlings. It’s all going to kick off soon as a guy has already shouted at them. We are a bit away from it all so I am just going to sip my vodka slushy and watch.

Enjoy. Keep us updated 🍸

The situation is completely down to poor parenting. Some of the staff have told these boys to stop, and presumably the parents are aware that their children have been asked to stop. The boys do stop, but it all starts again the following day, because the parents are failing to discipline their children. You also have other staff, who aren't particularly bothered, so fail to take any action.

Unfortunately, complaining to the parents, won't get you anywhere. The Dad doesn't see what his son's are doing, as a problem, and therefore won't speak to his children. It's not the children's fault, they are a product of their upbringing. Children see an extreme reaction, which they find amusing, so they want to repeat that reaction. It's like children repeatedly annoying a child, that they know will react, they do it to get a reaction.

You have two options: complain to the hotel staff and/or Rep or go elsewhere....some bars/restaurants have pools that can be used if you purchase food/drinks. Personally, I would tell the hotel staff why you don't like the water, because it might give your complaint more substance.

Once home, especially if the situation isn't resolved, leave a negative review.

my husband has just informed me at last nights entertainment they were trying to jump on the stage and were marched back to the parents by a member of staff. Next thing there was a crash and one of the kids had ran straight into a women carrying a tray of drinks. The mum of the kids ran up and grabbed the kid away (no apology) and they all left the bar.

I had a bit of a early night so I was not there

All the others kids on resort seem amazingly well behaved so they are really standing out

What's the name of the hotel? Sounds like one to avoid if they can't deal with unpleasant guests.

Find a way to soak the parents’ phones

they may not find that so funny

I wear contact lenses and a face of water could cause me issues. I would complain to the manager and get it sorted. Spraying in a pool is one thing but out and about, fully clothed people is totally out of order

This.

Tell you kid to go and push theirs into the pool

I think all the suggestions about getting revenge (throwing buckets of water, soaking their phones. pushing in the pool), while lovely in theory, are more likely to get you in trouble in practice.

It sounds like the family are beginning to get the message, but I would keep encouraging other families to complain together and if you see anybody else going to get the manager tell your DH to go and back them up. The hotel staff sound like they want an easy life, which is why they ignored you to begin with. Make it clear that dealing with the problem family once and for all will be a lot easier than having to deal with 20 other families complaining 100 a times a day.

And of course make clear you will be leaving a 1 star review but also that the hotel has time to turn that around. I hate it when people threaten to leave bad reviews to get their own way but in this case you would just be telling the truth.

Good luck @Blueeyedstork and I hope you get to enjoy the remaining days of your holiday.

I would go absolutely ballistic if a kid shot water in my face on purpose and laughed about it with their parent.

Tempting though it would be to take them on directly, we all know that will have unpredictable consequences

I would immediately have gone to Reception and insisted on seeing the Complaint book and the duty manager. If that was not forthcoming, I’d stand there until it was, and I’d tell every single incoming guest about the anti social pool behaviour that the hotel are not tackling.

Pot, kettle, black. Same for proof reading before you posted. And by the way - criticism of a posters’ grammar/spelling etc, will get you deleted. It’s rude - there are all levels of ability here and some contributors will have learning disabilities, dyslexia, etc. Not cool.

Balls now! FFS this is the family from Holiday Hell.

Back to Reception OP. Quiet word en route to man that shouted to see if he wants to accompany for strength in numbers.

Enjoy your slushie too.

Counselling ? Really ? How very odd that you think counselling can help with some little shit coming after you with a water gun because they haven’t been taught manners or good behaviour from their parents - who clearly have none either.

Scruffy cunts. Hope the hotel kick them out. So sorry they're ruining it for you OP x

@Blueeyedstork
@SheSaidHummingbird

Oops! 🙄

It's a chain reaction of autocorrect mishaps. I thought "Why would you comment on someone else's faux pas without making sure your own was correct!

😂😂😂.

@Crikeyitishot It must be contagious. Take a peek at yours. 😂😂

From your update it sounds like there is more than just your family that is getting exasperated by this family's behaviour. Hopefully that is the end of the water pistols, but if not, the complaints book and duty manager are the way to go. Retaliation would be pointless as it only lowers yourself to their level and won't solve the issue. Most pools would have a poster with the basic rules. Stress that it is a safety issue with wet surfaces and injury risk and you have already been hurt. Stay strong OP - you are not being unreasonable IMO

Yes, that would be my thinking too!

What a nasty little shit. I’m fuming on your behalf OP. All you can do is complain to the highest level of management and hope that this anti social family are dealt with.

Complain to your on-site rep, if there is one. Tell them about the inaction of staff. Email your holiday provider and explain the staff have done nothing and minimised the behaviour, and you've told your rep. Tell them what your rep has said/done. Paper trail your conversations. What a shitty family.

Sure, but you're missing the point that poster was making. OP does have that phobia. It's like having a camel phobia and going on holiday to Egypt.

But as you say, nobody should be sprayed with water, whether they have a phobia or not.

Hopefully they'll fuck around with the wrong people soon enough and Dad will be in the find out phase. This is all the parents fault and they deserve punishment.

I know you shouldn't have to but could you or your husband go to the boys parents and explain why its upsetting you