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Super soaker etiquette at parties

407 replies

tigermoth · 17/07/2008 19:22

Does this sound ok to you?

My ds2 age 8 has been invited to a classmate's party tomorrow (after school ends, last day of term).

The party will take place outdoors in a small park next to the school. (Host and helpers will take the whole class to the park after school ends in the afternoon - hurrah!)

I saw the host's mother yesterday to confirm arrangements. Ds1 begged to bring his large super soaker water pistol with him - and a spare one to give to someone else.

Host's mother and I had a quick talk and agreed it was ok as long as it was warm weather. But I am not sure if host's mother was agreeing under duress IYSWIM. Ds2 was being very insistent and I wonder if the mother was just being polite through gritted teeth?

I told ds2 in front of host's mum that she had my absolute permission to veto any super soaker activity on the day.

ds2 has come home from school today obsessed with super soaker plans. He has apparently got his teacher's permission to bring in bottles of water and store them, along with his two super soakers, in school for use at the party (as there is no water supply at the park). I keep reminding him that if it is cool or if children get upset, the water fight is off, but he seems to have his mind set on this.

I cannot contact host's mother - can't get her phone number and I am unlikely to see her tomorrow morning as she does not do the school drop off. So as it stands,
ds2 will arrive at school tomorrow complete with super soakers.

I plan to write a letter to host's mother re-iterating that she has my utter permission to ban super soakers and ds2 knows this. I will give this letter to ds2 to give to her at the beginning of the party. Ds2 knows I will check that he has given her the letter when I collect him.

It's the end of term, the party is outdoors, I don't want to put the dampers on ds2's plans but hmmm.... what would you think if you were the host's mother? Would you be ok with this?

PS Bit of extra background - some of the parents of ds2's classmates see him as a bit of a livewire, so from what I can gather, he tends not to get too many play date or party invites. This is the first class party he has been invited to for ages and I have told ds2 it's really important that he does what he is told by the host mother so the other parents will see he takes notice. At school, ds2 is reasonably well behaved - I never have to see his teachers about his behaviour, and as a rule he plays well in a group, but I know he will be running around in a frenzy of super soaker, end of term excitement.....

OP posts:
cba · 17/07/2008 22:32

tigermouth, you really are persistent. I have not laughed at a thread so much in ages.

Go on, host your own super soaker party you and ds2 will have a blast

HumphreyCushioni · 17/07/2008 22:33

LOL @ Cali.
Oh MorningPaper! Tut tut.

Stopfighting · 17/07/2008 22:34

Why couldn't you have just said 'no' to him?

CaptainUnderpants · 17/07/2008 22:34

'do you think the host mother is now relying on ds to bring his super soaker and will be cross that we let her down' - er no not really

roisin · 17/07/2008 22:34

I think your solution is a good one TM.

Hope he enjoys the party and has fun.

Doodle2U · 17/07/2008 22:37

DM headline tomorrow - "Super Soaker sales rocket after severe dousing couple of mentions on Mumsnet parenting forum".

Lauriefairycake · 17/07/2008 22:38

this has to be added to classic threads

Lauriefairycake · 17/07/2008 22:40

From now on when ever anyone asks whether they did a wrong thing or whether they were being unreasonable someone will now respond:

"At least you didn't bring the supersoaker"

NorthernLurker · 17/07/2008 22:43

Yep -Supersoakers will be right up there with Fruit Shoots and sausage rolls in the mumsnet halls of infamy!

harpomarx · 17/07/2008 22:51

perhaps if you continue to stick to your guns in the face of furious opposition you could be known as a Supersoaker Mum?

mablemurple · 17/07/2008 23:00

I don't think this is the real Tigermoth. She's sold her name on ebay in order to raise funds to buy more shares in SuperSoakers plc and we've got some random loon posting under her name instead .

maidamess · 17/07/2008 23:02

enjoy, all you supersoakers

cat64 · 17/07/2008 23:09

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn

Heathcliffscathy · 17/07/2008 23:10

tigermoth. a thought. the reason your ds isn't invited to parties is because of you.

2point4kids · 18/07/2008 07:54

Please please please do update us on how the super soakers go down at the party

tigermoth · 18/07/2008 13:22

No update as yet, but I am have just dropped in at home in my lunchhour to put supersoakers in the car boot. Unless the weather turns warmer don't think they will be coming out again today. Ds2 knows this.

It really is me, not some imposter. I think I probably just have a differnet view on this to most of you - to me, getting sprayed with a bit of water on a hot day is not a horrible thing. Actually it's quite a nice, refreshing thing.

From all the times I have watched ds2 play with his supersoakers, he doesn't spray then at random children (often he does not not aims at people at all). If they are used, they are aimed at children who are joining in with him, children who don't mind (might actually want!) to get a bit wet.

And really it seems a lot of fuss to make over the prospect of a few litres of water being spayed here and there, some of which might or might not land on a child, outdoors on a hot day. It's not as if he was spraying battery acid.

I would not of course let my son take super soakers to an indoor party and/or without knowing the host parent and asking their views on this first - you think I am mad

FWIW, I am quite contactable at work, so if the host parent is quaking in their shoes at the prospect of ds2 bringing his supersoakers this afternoon, she would only have to phone me - and no call has come through.

OP posts:
FluffyMummy123 · 18/07/2008 13:30

Message withdrawn

yorkshirepudding · 18/07/2008 13:31

Message withdrawn

Morloth · 18/07/2008 13:31

None of that matters TM, the fact that it isn't a big deal to YOU and that some children MIGHT enjoy it doesn't make it any less rude or inappropriate to hijack someone's party.

Meh, if you don't get it, you don't get it. But you might want to have a serious think about WHY your son is unpopular and perhaps make the connection!

FluffyMummy123 · 18/07/2008 13:32

Message withdrawn

FluffyMummy123 · 18/07/2008 13:32

Message withdrawn

pinkblossom · 18/07/2008 13:44

Tigermoth - IT IS NOT YOUR PARTY OR YOUR SON'S PARTY. IT IS ANOTHER LITTLE BOYS PARTY. STOP TRYING TO ORGANISE THE BLOODY DAY WITH YOUR DAMN SUPERSOAKERS.

LET THE BOYS MOTHER GET ON AND ARRANGE THE PARTY AS TO HOW SHE WANTS IT TO BE RUN.

Jees, no wonder your kid doesn't get invited to any party.

STOP BEING SO BLOODY CONTROLLING. And teach your son some basic manners. Accept party invitation, turn up (WITHOUT BRINGING YOUR OWN ENTERTAINMENT) and enjoy party that has been provided.

The End.

FluffyMummy123 · 18/07/2008 13:45

Message withdrawn

marmalady · 18/07/2008 13:45

Not seen this thread til now.

Am crying with laughter esp after seeing maidamess post. The volume was up on my computer when I watched the clip and I couldn't turn it down quickly. All windows open.
neighbours probably concerned I am a nutter.

arf.

partaria · 18/07/2008 13:45

Ladies, I think she just doesn't get it and isn't reading the situation socialy the way 99.99% of people would read it - simple as that.

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