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AIBU?

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Original poster

AIBU to think IKEA is a top parenting hack?

338 replies

Wallasey123 · 18/01/2026 13:26

DS2 is 3 and we went to IKEA yesterday not because we needed anything but just to get out of the house (and tbh I couldn’t face soft play).

He ran around loads, looked at all the rooms, climbed on the sofas and beds and I didn’t need to be on red alert every second like I am at the park.

I don’t know why I’d never considered it as a day out before! I think when it’s too busy it’s prob not great but we went at opening time and it was great. Also obvs helps that there’s something in it for me - I get to mooch, get ideas and pretend I’m being productive.

Ofc ended up buying a few bits and pieces and hotdogs in the end but I feel like I’ve provided an enriching outing, even though I mostly just walked in circles looking at storage 😅

Any other unexpected places that are actually fun for kids AND adults (and don’t cost the earth) that I might not have considered?

OP posts:
Climbingrosexx · 18/01/2026 17:44

flopsyrabbit8 · 18/01/2026 17:38

Yes I’m sure all those soft furnishings really pose immediate risk to a child.

If anyone’s entitled it’s you. Do you think children shouldn’t be allowed in public spaces? Adults are permitted to try out the furniture so why can’t kids?

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Adults sit on the furniture to try it out, I am not entitled I am well mannered and whilst not perfect I know how to parent.

Also I am not talking about soft furnishings hurting him, I am talking about him falling off something, running into something like furniture or trolley. Common sense is clearly lacking on this thread.

Viviennemary · 18/01/2026 17:44

ClairDeLaLune · 18/01/2026 16:09

Never ever ever go to IKEA on a Saturday morning if you don’t have kids. What on earth were you thinking???

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I was going to buy some storage units. Didnt realise it was a free for all let the kids run riot session!

Needmorelego · 18/01/2026 17:43

Climbingrosexx · 18/01/2026 17:38

Yes she did, he ran around loads and she also eluded to the fact she wasn't really watching him that closely

He ran around loads, looked at all the rooms, climbed on the sofas and beds and I didn’t need to be on red alert every second like I am at the park.

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Yes I apologised upthread about missing it but the OP has also followed up with saying it's more a figure of speech not actually charging around.

IDoAllMyOwnStunts · 18/01/2026 17:41

Decathlon is also an awesome place to take kids. Big tents up to explore, bikes and scooters to try out plus balls/goals too.

Our big Decathlon is next to ikea.

Can kill a whole day there with the meatball lunch.

Grammarninja · 18/01/2026 17:39

I've tried IKEA with my 2y/o. Was a nightmare as she kept running off, pulling things out and then wanted to take so many things with her. We came home with a ball, a shark teddy and a cash register among other things she accumulated along the way.
The pick up area was the worst as she saw it as some sort of jungle gym. Never again!

flopsyrabbit8 · 18/01/2026 17:38

Climbingrosexx · 18/01/2026 17:26

I thought at first it was rage bait and now I am struggling to figure out how many of these responses are real and how many are sarcasm. There is so much entitlement amongst parents now I really don't know what to believe.

OPs post certainly confirms why so many kids are feral. I also wonder who will OP try to sue when her out of control child and bad parenting result in an injury. Will it be the store or the customer who got in the way? 🤔

Show quote history

Yes I’m sure all those soft furnishings really pose immediate risk to a child.

If anyone’s entitled it’s you. Do you think children shouldn’t be allowed in public spaces? Adults are permitted to try out the furniture so why can’t kids?

Climbingrosexx · 18/01/2026 17:38

Needmorelego · 18/01/2026 16:57

Why are people translating sitting on some sofas and playing with a (set up so you can try) wooden kitchen as "running around the store"?
Did the OP say her kids were running around?

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Yes she did, he ran around loads and she also eluded to the fact she wasn't really watching him that closely

He ran around loads, looked at all the rooms, climbed on the sofas and beds and I didn’t need to be on red alert every second like I am at the park.

PatriciaRocks · 18/01/2026 17:38

Needmorelego · 18/01/2026 17:35

No I have looked.
All my nearest supermarkets have got really bad with their non-food merchandise.

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That's poor, isn't it? How annoying.

Needmorelego · 18/01/2026 17:35

PatriciaRocks · 18/01/2026 17:33

You can get them in most supermarkets.

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No I have looked.
All my nearest supermarkets have got really bad with their non-food merchandise.

PatriciaRocks · 18/01/2026 17:33

Needmorelego · 18/01/2026 17:23

This thread has reminded me of where I can go to buy a lightbulb I need.
With all my local Poundlands gone (and Wilkos and Homebase) I've been struggling to get one.
IKEA tomorrow for me.....

You can get them in most supermarkets.

Livelovebehappy · 18/01/2026 17:31

Needmorelego · 18/01/2026 17:20

Did the OP say her child was doing that?

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Nope? Didn’t say she did, but I was responding to the suggestion that the whole point of IKEA’s set up is to try out the merchandise for both kids and adults.

Greeniscalming · 18/01/2026 17:31

We had a brilliant trip to Go Outdoors when my children were young and we were thinking about going camping - in & out of the tents, trying all the chairs, looking at child sized sleeping bags. Completely unexpected but they loved it!

FerrisWheelsandLilacs · 18/01/2026 17:31

ClaraThePigeon · 18/01/2026 13:31

YABVU for allowing him to climb on the furniture. It always amazes me when I see parents allowing their children to do that and generally run riot in shops. Surely common sense and common decency and consideration for others makes it obvious that you shouldn’t?

Edited

It's absolutely not a problem in IKEA, unless they are getting under the feet of people pushing trolleys/on the main walkway.

And I don't have kids, and I used to work at IKEA.

LovelyUser · 18/01/2026 17:29

@Tryonemoretime , I find it a good way of getting some headspace.

Iknowdino · 18/01/2026 17:29

I do agree but my DD once got a tick from trying out an IKEA bed!! 🤮

Tryonemoretime · 18/01/2026 17:27

I absolutely love Ikea! Peter shops are good, too. Can I suggest somewhere else....though will probably get flamed for it. Church on Sunday morning is great. In our church of around 120 people (congregation mainly young families), the children stay in for 25 minutes of singing, prayers etc and then go out for a session especially for them. This morning involved a mad game, a video of a bible story, a quiz (sweets were involved) and a craft. There's always a creche for little ones with loads of toys and story time. And parents can relax and listen to a talk (which is always interesting) without any interruptions.

Climbingrosexx · 18/01/2026 17:26

Oldgoatinaboat · 18/01/2026 14:00

People like the OP and her feral kids are why I hate going out these days.
No social awareness whatsoever and a sense of entitlement.
Wondering if this post is just a goady wind up

I thought at first it was rage bait and now I am struggling to figure out how many of these responses are real and how many are sarcasm. There is so much entitlement amongst parents now I really don't know what to believe.

OPs post certainly confirms why so many kids are feral. I also wonder who will OP try to sue when her out of control child and bad parenting result in an injury. Will it be the store or the customer who got in the way? 🤔

Needmorelego · 18/01/2026 17:26

Does anyone who can read Swedish ever sit in IKEA and read one of the books they have displayed on the shelves?
I was there once and they had a pile by an author I like - but unfortunately I can't read Swedish 🤣🤣

Stuckstuckstuckfuck · 18/01/2026 17:25

You let your kid clamber all over the furniture?

Needmorelego · 18/01/2026 17:23

This thread has reminded me of where I can go to buy a lightbulb I need.
With all my local Poundlands gone (and Wilkos and Homebase) I've been struggling to get one.
IKEA tomorrow for me.....

LovelyUser · 18/01/2026 17:23

@Needmorelego , @Livelovebehappy didn't say OP had. She used it as an example of behaviour that's not fine.

The bear is Djungelskog

MayaPinion · 18/01/2026 17:22

Livelovebehappy · 18/01/2026 17:19

And that’s okay. Adults trying out a bed, or testing the comfort of a mattress = fine. A child doing bunny jumps from bed to bed = not fine.

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The beds aren’t set up like that in IKEA. You’d need to be Spider-Man to jump from bed to bed the way you could in John Lewis.

wishingonastar101 · 18/01/2026 17:22

I have a photo of my daughter in an Ikea trolly - screaming her head off... That always how I feel in Ikea... although not been in years!

Needmorelego · 18/01/2026 17:22

Needmorelego · 18/01/2026 17:16

Djungleskog the Bear 🤣
I have one staring at me right now...

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I've just realised something....
The D in Djungleskog is how IKEA spell it.
It's not a Mumsnet D 🤣🤣🤣

Needmorelego · 18/01/2026 17:20

Livelovebehappy · 18/01/2026 17:19

And that’s okay. Adults trying out a bed, or testing the comfort of a mattress = fine. A child doing bunny jumps from bed to bed = not fine.

Show quote history

Did the OP say her child was doing that?

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