AIBU to say that husband was irresponsible?

As part of the main shopping street where I live, there is also a large square (used for Festivals, markets etc.) Part of this are fountains, which get small then grow and grow and then get small again.

Children love these, no matter what the weather, there are usually children playing in them, getting soaking wet. Sometimes, parents/carers in the know change them into swimming cossies. but most just go in their normal clothes. Even when the weather is quite chilly you will see youngsters playing happily in these fountains.
It is fun to watch them and the occasional pet dog that joins in.

butterandjam

Before there were water parks, on a hot summers day kids would get soaked to the skin with the garden hose or water pistols or just splashing in a loch pond or stream while the adults either watched or joined in.

It's called harmless fun.

Absolutely. Your post has just brought back many memories of playing in streams as a child, and not even an adult with us by the time we were about eight.
Looking back, I think we were the last of the free-range kids in our country area, and i feel sorry for those only slightly younger who never enjoyed that freedom.
We never took a towel or anything with us, but it didnt bother us or our parents that we must have walked home in wet clothes.

The garden hose felt like a huge treat - that only happened occasionally, in dry spells, if my dad decided to water the lawn in the evening. I would wear my swimming costume for that.

Those are happy memories 😊

Before there were water parks, on a hot summers day kids would get soaked to the skin with the garden hose or water pistols or just splashing in a loch pond or stream while the adults either watched or joined in.

It's called harmless fun.

In their everyday clothes would have been much more fun than in a swimsuit. On a warm day it wouldn’t have bothered me at all. Actually I might have joined in. 😁

I've let my two DGC play in water twice over the summer holidays, and both times one of them had to go back to mine (by car) in wet clothes. The weather was hot and sunny, so why not?
They had so much fun that im sure it will be a happy memory for them in the future, and watching their excitement is now a happy memory for me too.

I can see how your upbringing might have played a part in how you felt, singingnutty, but perhaps it isn't too late to become a rebel - go there again and maybe join them in the water, even if you only get your toes wet. 😄

eazybee

^I, of course would not have allowed them to go in as I had a very strict upbringing and fun and risk-taking were not really on the agenda,^

So do you really believe that was a good upbringing?
One that you have presumably replicated?

A bit harsh.

I, of course would not have allowed them to go in as I had a very strict upbringing and fun and risk-taking were not really on the agenda,

So do you really believe that was a good upbringing?
One that you have presumably replicated?

Thanks for all the comments so far and I do appreciate your views and advice to me to try to unbutton a bit. I just need to say that I didn’t ‘overrule’ DH except I did let him know I wasn’t happy and I certainly did not rage about the wet clothes. No point! As far as the boys knew I didn’t disapprove although perhaps they may have noticed body language!

Sounds like the GCs loved it, and as my old dad would say to my mum when we got wet whilst playing outside ‘don’t fuss, they’ll not melt.’

Can’t wait!!

How do you want to be remembered? As the person who let them have a great time in the splash park or the one who raged because their clothes were wet! I know which one I would rather be🤔 note to self ask their parents to pack a spare T-shirt and shorts and a pair of crocs, next time.

I do understand how you may feel, singingnutty, because I had a school friend whose mother was very particular and she was never allowed to get wet or dirty and would get into trouble if she did or spoilt her clothes.
There was a photo of her on FB not long ago, she seems to have rebelled in her old age. Not dirty, but outrageous hair and clothes!

My DGS2 did the same at Chester le Street park two Saturday’s ago. He’s only 5 and we explained he’d have to go back to my house, in Mummy’s car with no clothes on, as he’d be soaked through.
He was up for it and I always have an outfit or two here for him, as he’s a frequent visitor and often gets dirty, wet or both! He thought it was great fun and can wait to do it again.

Ahh I think they had a whale of a time and something they ll remember . My adult grandson still recalls the day I rode his little bike, legs a kimbo, down a hill with no brakes and when I played footie out I the alleyway
We are allowed to let our hair down and do daft things once in a while that’s what memories are built on
Do something daft with them up yourself you might have a
whale of a time
I’m sorry it’s made you feel down singingnutty and afraid you may feel worse now as everyone seems to agree with your fun loving husband and not your strictness
Let your hair down it’s NEVER too late

I fully understand how you feel. However in the grand scheme of things its not the end of the world! Although getting 2 dripping boys into the car - now thats a very different matter !!!!!????

Did you not know there would be water play there? Your DH was probably rebelling, knowing you might not approve, he took his chance at giving them a good time. Your GC are at an age where they weren't in danger so the temptation and a bit of wily encouragement from your DH was harmless and showing a bit of independent dare-devilry. Forgive and laugh.

Sometime we just have to let go and have fun!

Did Grandadnutty get soaking wet as well?

Tbh, it wouldn’t have bothered me. It’s just water and the car seats, clothes and children would have dried.

He sounds like a fun grandad. The boys will remember the good time they had with him.

It was only a bit of wet…and a lot of fun. Why stress over it.

I would also have no problem with it whatsoever. I'm sure they had the time of their lives and will remember that day for a long time to come! What's a few wet clothes to worry about?

They had a great time, they had pyjamas to change into at your house, the weather's warm and they will just remember the fun they had.

We did keep some spare clothes at our house for the grandchildren when they were young, nothing special but they were handy if they got wet or filthy when we looked after them.

My own children got soaked (more by accident than intention) years ago so I was usually prepared.

Perhaps I was an irresponsible parent.

There was no real harm done, was there? In fact, it seems as if the children had a brilliant time and will be something they will remember in the future.

Yes, I see your point about a change of clothes, and them being in the wet ones until you got back home, but as you say, you had pyjamas for them when you got home and the wet clothes could have been hung outside to dry if it was fine, or hung on an airer or tumble dried a bit if you have one.

If you hadn’t had the PJ’s, you could have wrapped them in towels or one of their grandpa’s shirts each until their clothes had dried off.

Try not to be cross with your DH.

I would have no problem with it at all. They're kids, it's fun, it was a hot sunny day and they're old enough to say no if they wanted. They had pj's, clothes would have dried in the sun. Where's the harm? I'm with your DH on this.

You aren't too old to change your attitude on any subject, or to be less fixed in your opinions. Lighten up a bit and enjoy the time you have with your GC's.