So Little Brother is in the backyard, playing soccer with two of the Street Urchins (boys his age who live down the block.). I’m listening with half an ear to the goings-on, since twice already this week that soccer ball has scored a direct hit on the pool filter, disconnecting the hose.
And my mom had dinner all ready, so she headed out the back door to call Little Brother in. When he didn’t follow, I called him out the window and that’s when my mom told me that one of the boys was telling Little Brother to stay outside.
I’ve found this child ignoring his own mother more than once when she’s come to tell him it’s time to go. He has flat-out refused to leave with his older sisters one day when they were sent to get him.
In a few short weeks it’ll be summertime, and all the Street Urchins will want to swim in my pool. I hate being the Bad Cop all the time, but somebody has to. With a pool in the yard, there are safety issues. You have to supervise and know who’s there and who’s in the water. You have to make sure they play and swim safely. (And you have to require kids who live on your block to bring their OWN towels.)
I think, before summer, I need to come up with a game plan. Suggestions are welcome.
UPDATE: Thanks to some GENIUS suggestions in the comments and from a neighbor, I’ve worked up this template. Sharing it here for other families in my spot–and I’ll amend this as necessary. But kids will have to leave one with me before they swim here.