Oooh that's taking a joke too far imo Nick. One would just need to look at the terror in your faces to realize that they'd overstepped the mark. Its not the joke itself...….but the trust issues that would worry me most. Obviously you have survived the incident but in all honesty, would you do the same to your child at the same age? There are plenty of ways to play a prank without leaving scars like this but it is so good that you are able to write the experience down and get it off your chest.

My reaction is probably due to the fact that I had 3 sons and am a grandmother to 4 grandsons and 3 granddaughters and can't see the sense in needlessly frightening them at such a vulnerable age. They played tough and are not wimps by any means, but as carers, we need a healthy balance. Great writing btw.