Always be precise

... when dealing with children. We are still in mid-heatwave here, so Star and A-next-door asked if they could play with the hose to cool down. Fine, I said, just take the washing down first. A few minutes later I went to check whether they had managed to get the hose properly attached. What did I find? J-next-door staggering across the patio carrying the rotary washing line with the washing still attached, looking hopefully for somewhere she could balance the entire contraption.

Next time I will be more precise: "Please take the washing off the line and take it indoors."