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AIBU?

To take our own food to soft play?

28 replies

OHforDUCKScake · 03/01/2014 20:21

Ive got no idea how strict they are, Ive only just remembered their rule of no food from outside coming in. Im not sure asking them if we can bring out own food in is the answer, I think just bringing it in and not saying anything would be the best way of doing it.

To put it into context, its my sons 7th birthday tomorrow and we are having it at soft play am I mad and they provide food and entertainment etc which is great.

But our youngest son is has a whole bunch of allergies.

The last time we were there I contemplated getting the, both lunch there and asked if I could see the ingredients list on the back of the curly fries. She waved her hand and said the allergy list is out the front. She meant the allergies that are 'usual' wheat, egg, nut, soya etc. I tried to explain that he is allergic to many more things than that and she looked at me blankly. I tried a few more times and eventually gave me the curly fries bag to check the ingredients list and he was allergic to them. This meant the only thing on their whole menu he wasnt allergic to was bacon.

This week Ive been planning to 'copy' what they might give which isnt easy since he can only eat 7 foods.

Im not looking forward to explaining at the beginning to blank faces that he really cant have anything on the menu.

I was just going to take it in and deal with the issue if its raised.

Thats alright isnt it?

Fucking hate us allergy bullshit, it rules Christmas and now its beginning to rule birthdays. Id give anything for him not to be made to feel 'different'.

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Sparklingbrook · 03/01/2014 20:23

Yes, just take it in. they probably won't even notice, and if they do just explain.

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OHforDUCKScake · 03/01/2014 20:23

Exactly what I was thinking, its doubtful they would even notice.

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WaitMonkey · 03/01/2014 20:23

In your circumstance, YANBU.

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Jojay · 03/01/2014 20:25

Totally ok. All the other kids will be eating their food, except one with serious allergies. Seeing as they cannot provide for him, yanbu to bring your own.

I feel your pain, j gave allergic kids too and I end up taking food everywhere. No one gas ever argued once I've explained why.

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IwishIwasmoreorganised · 03/01/2014 20:25

YANBU. As you're pretty sure based on previous experiences that they won't be able to cater for him, I would just take in what he wants and explain if they ask.

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Edenviolet · 03/01/2014 20:25

Take your own food. We do this for our very allergic ds1 and have not had problems, except when his party venue assured us they could cater for his allergies but on the day couldn't and he had a packet of crisps instead.

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LEMoncehadacatcalledSANTA · 03/01/2014 20:26

So, its your sons 7th birthday and you are having a party for him and his friends and they are providing the food? I assume this is costing you ££s. If they complain about you taking food for your allergic DS I would be tempted to rip them a new arsehole! This really annoys me with soft play - you have to pay to go in, yet they don't want you to take your own food - so if you want your children to eat (their shitty turkey burgers and burns sausages) it adds to the expense - takes the piss it surely does.

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HarderToKidnap · 03/01/2014 20:26

Easier to seek forgiveness than ask permission!

Go ahead, it's fine.

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MarmaladeBatkins · 03/01/2014 20:26

YANBU.

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FortyDoorsToNowhere · 03/01/2014 20:29

Yanbu I think it's the most sensible option.

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OHforDUCKScake · 03/01/2014 20:31

Good. I really needed to hear it.

This is new, we havent actually done any parties at all yet this is a first of many. It helps a lot that its our own.

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NearTheWindmill · 03/01/2014 20:32

You are buying a party package - spending tons. Just explain you have one who's allergic to everything and you can't take chances. It will be fine.

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OHforDUCKScake · 03/01/2014 20:38

You know what, this allergy thing floors me. Im usually bolshy assertive and confident generally. But bring allergies into it and Im weak and apologetic.

I need to grow some balls before my son feels like he should do the same.

I feel like a nob for starting this thread. It was a moot point, yet I needed to hear it justified. What a wuss. Hmm

Right, I will be smiley yet assertive and not apologise to them if they bring it up.

2014 = allergy balls.

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phantomnamechanger · 03/01/2014 20:52

DD is 14 and has been taking her own food to every party venue since the age of 5. As YOU are the customers here, they should be bending over backwards to keep you happy.

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OHforDUCKScake · 03/01/2014 20:58

Phantom has she ever been bothered or upset by it? Particularly when she was smaller?

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phantomnamechanger · 03/01/2014 21:30

no she hasn't, she has always (from age 5 1/2) just known that certain things will make her very ill and thankfully has always been sensible. It was take her own food or decline/miss out on party invites and we were not having her "punished" by missing out (and TBH, invites did drop off a bit, but I think that was more to do with parties getting smaller and not her specifically being dropped off the guest list). where possible she has similar food to what would be on offer at a venue, or something else that is a treat. for her 14th she is taking a small group of friends to a coffee shop chain after school that offers a gluten free range of cakes. sounds like yours has many allergies to contend with, must be very challenging.

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phantomnamechanger · 03/01/2014 21:33

she has also always felt that there could be many worse illnesses and disabilities to contend with, so although she'll have the very occasional moan of "it's not fair", she just gets on with it

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OHforDUCKScake · 03/01/2014 21:45

Thats good to hear, thank you.

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deakymom · 03/01/2014 22:52

i have allergies i take my own food and drink to places like this they scuttle over and tell me its not allowed i ask if they have allergy free foods /drink (i can only drink decaff) if they do i pay if i dont i eat my own one soft play centre allows me to provide my own teabag and gives me milk sugar and hot water! they freely acknowledge that i cant stay all day spending money on my children without eating and drinking i took my (baby) son to a party and he has allergies they didnt even charge me for him they usually would but because he cant eat the food they didnt charge me!!

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MrsMook · 03/01/2014 23:10

DS1 has 3 allergies that rule out most menus. I've frequently taken food for him to places where they don't have a range of foods that he can safely eat.

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RestingActress · 04/01/2014 00:19

YANBU at all OP.

I just hope that lots of people don't pretend their DC have allergies to get away with bringing their own food / cos their DC are fussy etc as this undermines how serious a true food allergy can be.

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LittleprincessinGOLDrocks · 04/01/2014 00:27

DS has allergies, and took a packed lunch to a party at soft play last month. The staff were glad that we had catered for him, as they were worried about giving him something by accident.

So YANBU at all.

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C3P0 · 04/01/2014 00:51

You may well have a case under the disability discrimination act if they refuse to allow you to bring medically required foods. A letter from the GP should avoid any ambiguity.

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wobblyweebles · 04/01/2014 03:06

YANBU, you are being sensible.

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scattergun · 04/01/2014 08:33

Ds has a friend with lots of severe food allergies and when we take him out for meals with us we phone ahead to say we'll be bringing all his food as there's almost nothing he can risk having without his mum checking (i.e we are both happy for me not to be responsible). No one has yet caused any problems and all have been extremely accommodating.

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