Summer Observations

I enjoy observing and listening to people. Sometimes it makes me smile. Sometimes it makes me grit my teeth. The following is an observation at our neighborhood pool. The interaction between parents and children is always a learning experience. As my husband and I were relaxing at the pool, I heard this interaction within Family A (dad, mom, 3 very young children):
"Why are you crying? Stop crying or you're getting out of the pool!"
"I mean it!"
"No more crying or out you go."
"Stop crying. You have no reason to cry." (I should mention that this child looks to be @3 years old.)
"Do you want to get out and have to sit in the chair?"
"Stop crying or you're sitting in the chair!"
"I'm not playing with you if you're going to cry." (Still the parent to the 3 year old.)
"Stop crying or you're out of the pool. I mean it! Do you think I'm kidding?"
To which my thought is - We ALL think you're kidding! The child is continuing to control the situation while BOTH parents threaten or demean with no action taken, but at least they do it loudly so we can all enjoy the exchange!
I call the family, Family A for ANNOYING. Isn't summertime fun great?!