Teacher mode

Was briefly reinstated this afternoon when a child didn't quite understand the rules of civilised behaviour and respect for others. After swimming into Roy and then claiming it wasn't his fault because he couldn't see him (!!!), he then proceeded to handstand in the water and narrowly missed Roy again. Both Roy and another resident, Graham, politely spoke to said child, who once again protested his innocence and abdicated responsibility.

When he started squirting water over in the direction of us oldies, I quietly swam over and explained that, like me, he was merely a guest on the estate and that many of the people here are residents. As such, there is an expectation of consideration towards others. His response was to a) tell me he didn't do anything wrong and b) tell me it wasn't his fault because he didn't see us all!

Calmly, quietly and with no question, he was told how the world works. He protested his innocence, again. He tried the last word. He was told not to do that. So he tried again. My last words... Behave with some respect and consideration otherwise I WILL have the last word with your Mummy (he was 11, thinking he was 16!). Guess who had the last word?

Karma bit him on the arse later - as we sat eating our evening meal al fresco, I commented that it would be fantastic if the ball he was playing water polo with would bounce over into mum's patio. Well, as luck would have it...

He and his brother argued a little about who would ask me for the ball. He drew the short straw...

"Excuse me?"
"Yes?"
"Please may I have the ball back?"
"oh, so you DO have manners then?' Well done. Yes of course you can have it back"

I deserve my beers this evening!