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AIBU?

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Original poster

Going to a playground without children?

138 replies

CantWaitForOctober · 19/08/2025 16:36

Just watched a video on Facebook of a woman confronting another woman who entered a playground and sat down without having a child with her. The woman was shouting at her asking her why she was in the playground if she doesn't have any children with her. This happens a lot where I am adults will come and sit down in the playground on the benches. (To be clear I am referring to a children's playground gated with swings and slides etc not a park with loads of grass and benches) although this isn't something I would do personally AIBU to think this is ok and she shouldn't be confronting her and recording her? Lots of people in the comments agreeing with the woman and saying she was right to confront her.

OP posts:
WickedElpheba · 19/08/2025 17:04

I would find it weird if this happened in our local playground as there are many benches in the park that are not in the playground area but I wouldn't say anything unless they were doing something strange.

Boomer55 · 19/08/2025 17:04

It’s a public space, not bound by any privacy laws 🙄

TheNightingalesStarling · 19/08/2025 17:03

People are a lot more wary of unknown adults around children these days.

DH told me how an old man used to come and sit on a bench to watch his PE lessons (which were done in a public park). Went on for years before someone noticed he wasn't just watching but "fiddling" with himself while watching. They thought he was watching for something to do.

garlictwist · 19/08/2025 16:59

I often sit in the playground opposite my house with a book because it's the only place that gets sun and I don't have a garden. No one's ever said anything.

TakeMe2Insanity · 19/08/2025 16:58

Depends on the circumstances.

When things opened up around covid, we were at a playground close to the London Eye. A man was doing a workout but more resting a lot while taking up a piece of the kids play things and filming himself. He wouldn’t move so children could use it. We called the police. The police came and took him and his phone off with them.

KilkennyCats · 19/08/2025 16:57

If that’s where the benches are, that’s where people will sit 🤷🏻‍♀️

Iloveeverycat · 19/08/2025 16:54

Near where I live women sit in the playground with out kids and read their books no one bats an eyelid. It is gated

Itstheshowgirl · 19/08/2025 16:54

Not weird they could be waiting on someone. I wouldn’t do it personally as I hate taking my DC to the play park so am unlikely to want to visit it myself.

I do think that parents are right to be vigilant about people who are around their DC but not in that manner.

ForeveraBluebird · 19/08/2025 16:52

Why confront and film a woman for simply sitting on a park bench.
My Nan used to sit and watch the children playing in our local park. Thankfully she never met with suspicion, just mums happy to chat with her about when her children were little.

adlitem · 19/08/2025 16:51

Aww there was an old lady who did this where we used to live. I talked to her once in a while and she just liked to see the kids play. I think she was pretty lonely. People always just assume the worst.

Reallyyyyyy · 19/08/2025 16:49

If its the only space with benches then its not strange. I might raise an eyebrow but if you are with your kids and they are safe, there's nothing to say. Let the woman enjoy her day

Comedycook · 19/08/2025 16:46

I think it's a bit odd...I wouldn't confront someone though... especially a woman. She could be waiting to meet a friend or relative with kids.

Jackiepumpkinhead · 19/08/2025 16:44

People can sit wherever they want in a public space. If I have to tolerate children in pubs and gyms then parents can tolerate an adult sitting on a bench in a play park.