Cuando quería sacudírselos de encimas..

Question

This is taken from 'El Plan Infinito', by Isabel Allende.

The context is that of a man looking after children between them finishing school and their parents coming to collect them.

Los niños eran como de arena, todos iguales a la distancia, escurridizos cuando intentaba ponerles límites y pegajosos cuando quería sacudírselos de encimas....

I'm having trouble with the 'bolded' words.

Is this okay?

The kids were like sand, they all looked alike at a distance, were slippery when he tried to set boundaries and sticky when he tried to shake them off him. (would that refer to when they climb over him?)

I love this book by the way, she has great style.

Answer 1

A beautiful sentiment. Thanks for sharing it.

Answer 2

cuando quería sacudírselos de encimas....

Also when he wanted them to go away to do something else because he need some space.

Answer 3

You got it right. The kids are sticky when he tried to shake them off.