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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

AIBU to hold place in line for the kids?

187 replies

Dontjumptoconclusions · 14/08/2026 10:03

At an amusement park. It's a timed entry so as many rides and things you can do for 2 hours.

One ride that the 3DC (5,3,3) wanted to go on, the bunjee trampoline one (whatever it's called). There were 4 trampolines. Quite a long queue as each kid is on the trampoline for 5 mins each. There were maybe 5 or 6 kids in front of us, so I guessed around a 20 min wait.

So I said to DH and the kids, I'll wait here and you carry on with the other rides with less/no queue and I'll call you over when we are near the front.

Then when we got close to the front, the 3DC came over and jumped on the trampolines.

It was only afterwards that I wondered if i should have waited with 3DC, missing out on the other rides out of principle that we are queuing up for this one? AIBU or would you also do the same to make the most of the time in the place?

OP posts:
latetothefisting · 14/08/2026 14:43

malloryknox123 · 14/08/2026 11:42

Does 3 child plus one adult increase the time spent on the trampoline significantly? For example is it five minutes for one child, or twenty minutes for the four of you?

or does it make no difference if one person rather than 4 waits in the queue, the time spent on the ride will still be the same?

they are individual trampolines so OP's children would have added 15 minutes to the queue rather than 5.

latetothefisting · 14/08/2026 14:45

BoredZelda · 14/08/2026 10:06

Why? What difference does it make to the other people in the queue?

do you...not understand how a) queues b) numbers work?

If there are 3 people in front of you it will take longer for you to get your turn than if there is only 1.

Jeez.

SomeOtherUser · 14/08/2026 14:51

BoredZelda · 14/08/2026 10:06

Why? What difference does it make to the other people in the queue?

Well, if they waited in one queue like they are supposed to, they would be either in this queue or in another queue, not in both queues at once. So one or other of the queues would be slightly shorter.

PS5Gamer · 14/08/2026 14:52

YABU and CF behaviour.

IDontDrinkTea · 14/08/2026 14:54

You’re being completely unreasonable and this behaviour gets you removed from most theme parks in the UK - and rightly so, it’s poor behaviour and I cannot believe you even need to ask this

ThatWasGreek · 14/08/2026 14:56

Dontjumptoconclusions · 14/08/2026 13:36

My twins are summer babies so they were 2,only a few weeks ago.
At these ages I'm teaching potty training and how to stay in their bed at nighttime. These kids can't remember what they did at nursery the same day, let alone being instilled "life lessons", surrounded by distractions and rides.

Delayed gratification is something that even adults don't have, which is why so many people buy things on finance /klarna etc because they can't wait to afford anything.

Anyway I appreciate many think IABU.

I’ve just read some of your other posts now and my goodness your life sounds bloody awful. I think you waited in that queue so you didn’t have to be with your own children. It’s therapy you need, not a big sign. I hope things turn around for you.

embroideredtulip · 14/08/2026 14:56

Moonnstarz · 14/08/2026 13:56

I also think there is also some contradiction in what you are doing. You are happy to do this but wouldn't want others doing it..you yourself counted the number of children in front to estimate the 20 min wait. Therefore you yourself are expecting that those in the line are those going on the trampolines.
As others have said, how would you have felt if these children in line got closer and then beckoned siblings/friends to join them? I expect you would feel annoyed at having waited 20 mins to realise you would be waiting longer because of this.

This.

It is not ok to do this, children should be taught to queue, whatever their age.

Sirzy · 14/08/2026 14:59

Dontjumptoconclusions · 14/08/2026 13:36

My twins are summer babies so they were 2,only a few weeks ago.
At these ages I'm teaching potty training and how to stay in their bed at nighttime. These kids can't remember what they did at nursery the same day, let alone being instilled "life lessons", surrounded by distractions and rides.

Delayed gratification is something that even adults don't have, which is why so many people buy things on finance /klarna etc because they can't wait to afford anything.

Anyway I appreciate many think IABU.

Just because they don’t seem to be able to remember doesn’t mean they aren’t learning. You are doing them a disservice by making them think they can just walk up and have a go without waiting.

Grendel7 · 14/08/2026 15:03

Dontjumptoconclusions · 14/08/2026 10:03

At an amusement park. It's a timed entry so as many rides and things you can do for 2 hours.

One ride that the 3DC (5,3,3) wanted to go on, the bunjee trampoline one (whatever it's called). There were 4 trampolines. Quite a long queue as each kid is on the trampoline for 5 mins each. There were maybe 5 or 6 kids in front of us, so I guessed around a 20 min wait.

So I said to DH and the kids, I'll wait here and you carry on with the other rides with less/no queue and I'll call you over when we are near the front.

Then when we got close to the front, the 3DC came over and jumped on the trampolines.

It was only afterwards that I wondered if i should have waited with 3DC, missing out on the other rides out of principle that we are queuing up for this one? AIBU or would you also do the same to make the most of the time in the place?

Oooh! This REALLY annoys me when people do this! Myself and grandson were standing in a queue ( yep we STILL DO THIS IN ENGLAND), for the train in amusement park behind woman and baby.
Got to the front, she starts yelling and jumping up and down waving at...seven other people!! Guess what happened next? Yep,they all got on and we had to wait.
If you are not in the queue, you have to get to back. Simple. This is not America,(yet!) We don't just all merge and push to the front,but its getting that way. Its called entitled and people who do this usually drive that way too.

Grendel7 · 14/08/2026 15:06

embroideredtulip · 14/08/2026 14:56

This.

It is not ok to do this, children should be taught to queue, whatever their age.

Thank you,yes they should, we still do that here and its because its fair. Pushing in is not nor ever has been fair.

Pistachiocake · 14/08/2026 15:07

Hankunamatata · 14/08/2026 10:06

Big signs alton towers classify it as queue jumping.

Wish shops would do this! How many times on a lunch break are you behind one person with a few items in her basket-then her kids turn up with trolley loads and you have to wait for ages.

holidayhelpneeded1 · 14/08/2026 15:12

Sweetpeasaremadeforbees · 14/08/2026 12:11

This has got to be a wind up. No one would geuinely come on MN declaring that they allowed their kids to queue jump and asking if it was ok. If it happened I hope someone had a (verbal) go at you.

Of course it is, the replies just add to the rage bait aspect of it

Yetone · 14/08/2026 15:13

Hankunamatata · 14/08/2026 10:06

Big signs alton towers classify it as queue jumping.

You beat me to it!

Stompythedinosaur · 14/08/2026 15:15

Dontjumptoconclusions · 14/08/2026 11:18

But why?

People are saying it's because they don't know how many people are in front. but if they do know, or I tell the few people behind "BTW there's 3 going during my turn" then it solves the problem and people can choose to wait (with or without their kid).

It sounds like the issue is more that they want all the kids in the queue, unnecessarily instead of continuing to enjoy themselves elsewhere to earn the right to go on the ride. Misery loves company and all that.

Because everyone has the same amount of time for rides and they can decide how to spend it - lots of rides with short queues, fewer rides with longer queues.

By queue jumping your dc got on more rides during their time, and other children who queued fairly and had to wait for them got on less.

It's selfish and unreasonable. Your dc had a better day at the expense of others having a worse day.

LumpyandBumps · 14/08/2026 15:17

Your title is misleading.
You were not holding a place in line for 3 children.
If you hold a place in line for someone you swap places with them. If there is only one of you then you can only swap places with one of your children.

SunsetDrifter · 14/08/2026 15:35

I have 3 kids, I wouldn't do this and would be mightily pissed off if my 3 children who had been stood there patiently waiting then had to wait for your kids who jumped in the queue, as I get older I don't stand for this shit and I'd ask you to queue with your kids like everyone else, your kids wouldn't be jumping back in in front of us.

Imagine doing this at alton towers etc, you stand in each queue and your kids walk to the front when you get there, you simply wouldn't be allowed to do this.

London22 · 14/08/2026 15:44

Friendlygingercat · 14/08/2026 13:52

How do you FORCE someone to go to the back of a queue? Physically assault them?

I can understand the frustration in somewhere like a theme park where you are waiting for a defined service - a ride. Or in a supermarket where you await your TURN for service. (I once pushed a left trolley out of the way when someone nipped off and left it).

However sometimes you are simply waiting for something where there is no defined service or object to receive. For example to get into a building for a performance where tickets or seats are already allocated. Then the "first come first served " rule is not necessarily fair. The people at the front may have arrived earlier or come by car. That makes it unfair on those who live further away or have to use public transport.

FORCED in the sense that the staff intervened, due to the commotion and nature of the complaint. No need for physical harm involved at a public family theme park. You simply raise a complaint.

TinyTear · 14/08/2026 15:54

Has anyone wonder how 2 yo go on those bungees? isn't there a height/weight limit to actually be able to jump?

Viviennemary · 14/08/2026 15:58

BoredZelda · 14/08/2026 10:06

Why? What difference does it make to the other people in the queue?

Because they've waited in the queue and you haven't.

MCF86 · 14/08/2026 16:04

BoredZelda · 14/08/2026 10:06

Why? What difference does it make to the other people in the queue?

It means they'll be waiting longer than the queue suggested when they decided it was worth joining.

CeciliaMars · 14/08/2026 16:08

I would hate you for this! Imagine if everyone did it - the queue would be 4 times the length it actually looked!

Bunnycat101 · 14/08/2026 16:14

I think you were being an arse. There is nothing worse for a small child patiently queuing for something like that for loads to just join the queue. I think for something like a bungee trampoline the kids just need to wait their turn- not just flounce on in and miss the queue.

BeanNaGealai · 14/08/2026 16:14

Dontjumptoconclusions · 14/08/2026 11:18

But why?

People are saying it's because they don't know how many people are in front. but if they do know, or I tell the few people behind "BTW there's 3 going during my turn" then it solves the problem and people can choose to wait (with or without their kid).

It sounds like the issue is more that they want all the kids in the queue, unnecessarily instead of continuing to enjoy themselves elsewhere to earn the right to go on the ride. Misery loves company and all that.

By doing that you are basically increasing queue time for multiple rides which makes the whole experience less pleasurable for everyone.

Ride 1: You are holding 4 spaces.
Ride 2: Your dh and 2 dc are taking 3 spaces.

Person B comes along and wants to do ride 1 and ride 2. They start with ride 2 and queue behind your dh and dc so it takes them longer to get on that ride than if your lot weren't there.

Person C queues up behind you on ride 1 while their dh and dc join ride 2 after person B.

Person B finishes ride 2 and goes to ride 1. Queues behind Person C whose children skip over after ride 2 and go on ride 1 ahead of person B's dc.

So Person B ends up queuing longer for both ride 1 and ride 2 because of the approach taken by yo and Person C.

Boomer55 · 14/08/2026 16:18

Apparent queue jumping is not a good look.

Sweetpeasaremadeforbees · 14/08/2026 16:21

So the kids were 3 y o and are now just turned 2? Right.