Who Knocked?

I usually bring my 7 year old daughter E and 5 year old son C to swim class every week. It’s a great opportunity for me to work out while they are taking their swim class and then I love playing with them afterwards. We then hit the hot tub for a few minutes before trying to get showered up to leave. It’s a good routine we have down and things have become easier and more enjoyable as they have gotten older (and better behaved!).

Recently, we were in the middle of getting dressed after showering and someone was knocking loudly. They were sending a signal that they were getting impatient. Every parent that uses those showers and restrooms know that with kids, it’ll be about 15 minutes or so until you can get everything you need to do completed. I was no exception sadly.

We were around the 15 minute mark and I was in the last stretch when the knocking happened. My kids were wondering why someone was doing it and I told them that they were probably getting impatient. It is honestly a bit rude as well since the assumption is that the families were taking their time getting out of the restroom, which is not the case. Who wants to spend more time in the restroom with their kids? That doesn’t make sense and my kids agreed.

What is even better is that the person knocking (who we assumed was a man) was then arguing with a woman that he was next. It sounded from the argument that the woman was clearly waiting first and I was dreading the confrontation because I would have made sure the woman and her kids got to use the restroom and shower next.

When we walked out, luckily the woman ended up going in next (and I did not have to escalate the situation!). C looked at the man standing right outside the restroom and asked why he was knocking. The man was surprised that a 5 year old was confronting him and then quickly said he was not knocking. That was the end of that.

C did not believe him and we chatted about the situation. I was proud that C asked his question so directly and I also said that you know the person wasn’t telling the truth based on how quickly he brushed off the question after pausing. The man didn’t know what to say, so the actions told the truth instead of the words. I told my wife when we got home and she was also amused at the situation while being proud of C for using his voice. What a surprise and I hope C keeps it up and uses his (loud) voice!