I tried to do something nice.

[Nawilotf]

So fed up. I got my kids a paddling pool from Argos for any warm days. Today's looking good. Excited 5 year old wanted it out. So I told her I would get it out straight away if she sits in the living room with her two year old brother whilst I filled it. I said they had one chance. If they followed me outside whilst I was filling it then it won't happen. She agreed..

I blew it up in the kitchen. Took it out the patio door and started filling it. They was watching me. Then 2 minutes later she opened the patio door and they both were charging towards me. So I turned the hose off. Tipped the tiny bit of water in it out and took them in. She started screaming. Having a meltdown. The toddler was also screaming.

I couldn't get her to calm down. When she did calm down abit I reminded her again. I wanted to fill it. Then put suncream on them whilst it warmed up and change my son's nappy and get them both into their costumes. So therefore now we can't do it.

She started screaming she will be good. But ive said no now. I've told her that when her dad's home we will have to do it as she has proven it's not safe for me to do it alone without another grown up to help.

So now I've got two hot miserable kids. But it's impossible to do it safely when she won't listen. Our gardens got steps and stones and I didn't want the toddler leaping in when I still need to go inside again for stuff.

Nothing is ever nice 😡

I get how hard it is - I have a nearly 5 year old and a toddler. But I do think your expectations were a bit too high - 2 small excited kids are not going to do as asked, especially with only one chance.

I’d get everything else ready first (towels etc) then take them in garden With you while it cools up... let them help do it.

In school a 5 year old is never sitting with a 2 year old unsupervised and both expected to sit still whilst the fun activity is happening just outside and they are aware what’s going on. It just would not happen. There’s a big difference between school and being at home with a paddling pool and the 2 year old being solely with the 5 year old.

Most children do stay safe at home. They negotiate stairs and familiar household unevenness! They will be fine in the garden if taught how to negotiate it. Or get a fence put up.

I always used to let mine sit in the pool while I filled it!

Do you think you suffer with control issues Op? I would have got them both ready, taken them out and filled it with them. Hold the toddler and get the 5 yo to hold the hose. You set up a test which your 5 yo failed. If you continue to set her unachievable tasks then she'll get a complex.

Well she just won’t thrive. I wouldn’t say a complex. But neither will the op thrive. It’s just a case of thinking around the logistics of the situation to suit the ages of the children and their capabilities.