7/31/07

I've Been To War...

at the public swimming pool.

I had a revelation today. I love my kids. I love my friends' kids. I love my kids' friends. But the buck stops there. It felt like the pool was full of brats today, and I wasn't a very nice person. One boy spent a good 30 minutes going underwater and grabbing my legs. I told him in no uncertain terms to quit that but he just smiled (in an ugly way) and did it some more. I about kicked him!

Another kid spent a good chunk of time taking Lily's diving discs and tossing them out of her reach. I had to drag Z around with me as I defended her toys, her territory, her fun. Two girls would not shut up as they followed me around and told me all about every detail of their lives. I must have had SUCKER written on my forehead today or something.

And this was all in the first 30 minutes. What gives? Don't kids have manners anymore?

4 comments:

Anonymous said...

Were my kids the ones at the pool bothering you today. I have tried, tried, tried my best about manners, following rules, guidelines, promises, made, etc., etc., etc., but I feel like I'm beating my head against a brick wall. What gives? Well, besides the fact that summer is almost over and CBS will soon be under way. Miss you tons!

Love, Lori

Jim Casperson said...

You are way to nice. A gentle hand placemnt on top of the head, and a period of 10 seconds with your hand below water will generally let kids know not to mess with you. Harsh? Yes. Effective? Very.

Kids today do not feel the need to respond to adults. They still respond to fear. Sorry.

Anonymous said...

Let's see...you could report the kid grabbing your legs to the lifeguard. You could grab him by the ear (how old school is that?) and march him over to his mother/parent/whoever is supposed to be watching him. But that assumes there's an adult somewhere that gives a crap.

Or you could wait till he surfaces and say "I just peed there and you swam through it."

mb

Anonymous said...

"I told him in no uncertain terms to quit that but he just smiled (in an ugly way) and did it some more. I about kicked him!"


You sound like you need some time to yourself. I wouldn't want you around my children.