To have let another child ruin our afternoon?

I have posted here a few times now, sorry if boring.
Following with interest as I was in very similar position to OP over weekend.
I don't naturally shy away from conflict. I am the MD of a company, have a fast paced, difficult job in which I am often dealing with volatile situations.
But I was unsure how to behave at soft play 😂
Didn't know what to do.
Was very awkward.

Why on earth didnt you just ask her guardian? Very easy.

So not only are you troll hunting, you're now sock puppet hunting, rather than just accept some robust differences of opinion?

Why have you posted in AIBU if you don't want opinions and see anyone who disagrees with you as trolling?

Absolutely and you aren't in the wrong here.
Her parent should have checked in.
I was not a helicopter parent but I Absolutely would have noticed this and would have come over to check she wasn't being a nuisance and would have intervened.

But as that didn't happen you do need to learn to step in, because this will happen again. It's not parenting another child, it's just interacting with them in a way they understand to protect both your family, and them.

My kids were probably too reserved/shy to ever approach someone like this, but similar has happened to us multiple times. Kids coming and sitting with us on the beach, wanting to share rides at a park, playing in a swimming pool, wanting to have a go on a scooter....you can't be responsible for them in those situations because there are risks for them. so you need to develop that direct way of saying no, but thank you.

I didn't mind other kids playing along at soft play when mine were in the actual play area, so long as they weren't super annoying.

Utter madness not to send them away when you are having food though.

“I do think some posters underestimate just how persistent some children can be!”
No, I’ve definitely come across these kind of kids many times in life. I recall one holiday when my children were little and we were playing a game in the pool where they were swimming under my legs, this kid came along and started doing it too - er, not on! I’ve had your kind of experience at soft play too, being one of the few parents who interacts with their children at these places tends to draw other kids in.
If you’ve already been firm along the lines of “ok nice to meet you, we’re going to play by ourselves now, bye bye” then you have to remove yourselves from where the stranger child is. “Ok we’re going now, bye bye” and move to another area.

'Right we're having lunch now so you need to go back to your mummy or daddy, who're you with? off you go!'

then next time shes a pain. walkover to mum and say sorry your could is being too clingy, picking my baby up and stopping us playing. please can you intervene.

If she then comes back 'your mum said you need to go and play with a big child, not a baby. i sort my baby out. off you go'

Good grief OP, they’re little kids not adults and they need clear instructions at that age. Find your inner Teacher voice!

“Is your mummy with you today? We’re going to have some lunch now so you need to go back to your mummy. Can you show me where your mummy is?” …And take them back to the parent if necessary.

Sadly, some parents are crap and want to sit drinking coffee and chatting and will happily leave all the parenting to other people, so you’ll inevitably come across kids that need a telling.

If you’re hosting a play date or a birthday party, you need to be confident about telling little Alice not to do X or Y and to do as they’re told.

Hinting to adults is usually hit and miss but completely pointless expecting little kids to pick up the clues. 😂

I agree that she shouldn't be picking up the baby. But I don't think I ever went to a soft play if I wanted to spend quality time with my children!

It's just such a shame that another child was being so ignored by their own parent/s she needed your attention.

However I'd take it as a complement she chose you.

I'd still tell her to go and sit with mummy/daddy etc for lunch. Or to leave banh alone and go and play.

She's not your responsibility.

I would be mortified if my child had spent a whole afternoon pestering another family and I did nothing to intervene. But it's OP who is in the wrong for getting fed up but being too kind to tell the kid to go away.

I love Mumsnet 🙄

Maybe she just felt bad y’know basically telling a 5 year old to fuck off.

You needed to tell her direct to go back to whoever she was with, totally ignore her and focus on your own children.

@NuffSaidSam I would have felt mean asking her to find her parent and I don't think it would have worked?!
Someone on here suggested having the balls to address with the parents if you feel that strongly and I think this is the best advice I have read.
It's not the kids fault they aren't being supervised by their parent.
Tbh unless my baby is clearly uncomfortable with it I will probs just put up with it if it happens again, only being very firm re picking him up / feeding him.