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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

to let my son spend HIS turn on the slide climbing up it instead of going down it?

236 replies

lookingforwards · 22/02/2011 14:56

Just had this happen again at play area (softplay this time) but its happened so many times over the last yr since DS could walk. He's a climber and thinks slides are for climbing. He waits his turn, then goes to the bottom and starts scrambling up it. After a suitable interval I get h im off and he waits again till the last child after him has had a go at which point I let him at the slide again for a scramble. He only gets about 1 minute if its busy but unlimited if there's noone else there. I lift him off if there's someone waiting at the top who has clambered up and wants to come down and then he can scramble again while they are climbing back up. He is 18 mths.

The problem starts when some other parent lifts their child/baby striahgt up to the top and then looks at me impatiently or says straight out 'can you take him off please?'.

Well I think a go spent climbing is as valid as a go spent coming down but the rest of the baby playground world apparently goes by a different etiquette where slides are for coming down and anyone climbing up is a pain and their parent needs to have it pointed out to them that their son is breaking all the unwritten rules.

So go on then AIBU, what's the verdict?

OP posts:
VinegarTits · 22/02/2011 15:30

hes only likely to get booted in the face if you keep letting him go up the slide the wrong way

BitOfFun · 22/02/2011 15:33

Make sure you leave by the correct door.

CilantroLarry · 22/02/2011 15:36

Adios.

And if you use the wrong door, walk backwards through it in an effort to express yourself in a non-conformist way. Those coming in will just wait for you to stop arsing about.

southeastastra · 22/02/2011 15:36

blimey!

i do think parents over police play areas these days but doubt anyone would agree with me Grin

southeastastra · 22/02/2011 15:37

what such agressive posts??

belgo · 22/02/2011 15:37

I think this IABU thread has been relatively polite.

Of course it's fine to let your child go up the slide the wrong way when there are no other children watching, but it's not fine if there is a queue. Common courtesy.

My dd1 was a climber too (still is) and I think it should be encouraged, just not when other children are waiting.

TheDevilAndTheDeepBlueSea · 22/02/2011 15:40 
<img loading="lazy" class="inline-flex mumsnet-emoji" alt="Grin" src="https://www.mumsnet.com/build/assets/grin-D7Eg_B6y.png">
southeastastra · 22/02/2011 15:41

bitchy

CilantroLarry · 22/02/2011 15:43

It is relatively polite.

But really the answer's in the question. The op acknowledges that everybody else in the playground world thinks she's unreasonable. When you're in a public place and everybody else thinks you're in the wrong, largely you probably are. People confirmed this was the case, the op still didn't accept it.

Children climb slides. Older children who get together in the park having never met before negotiate complex games where they run up the slide to defend a fort. That's all fine. It's with the agreement of the other children there. It's imaginative and brilliant.

But a load of toddlers at a soft play place generally need to be steered towards using the equipment for its designated purpose. It's just the way it is.

CilantroLarry · 22/02/2011 15:44

Not bitchy. Cowardly. She's gone, I was joking around.

SydneyB · 22/02/2011 15:44

Surely this isn't for real?

Sassybeast · 22/02/2011 15:44

I do apologise OP. Of course your child has the god given right to take priority over aany other child. It was very rude of (the majority) of us to suggest otherwise. you amy of course (not) teach your child to do what he likes for as long as you decide.

Southeastra - the reason that bloody playgrounds have to be policed is because there are 'occasionally' numptyish parents who have taught their kids that they can do what they like so the rest of us numptys have to hover to prevent bloodshed . Trust me -I'd much rather be reading 'Hello' than hovering to make sure that my kid isn't the one who crashes head first into the toddler climbing up the slide...in a totally self expressive and non conformist way.

slartybartfast · 22/02/2011 15:44

bascially op your dc is having a Double Go on the slide,
from what you wrote - he slides down and then tries to clamber up. which is fairly normal but you are unahppy that the parents are exasperated about this.

but you can't blame them.

FindingStuffToChuckOut · 22/02/2011 15:48

thing is MOST kids would actually like to climb UP a slide (I know DD and endless kids at the park all love to do it if at all possible). But that would cause endless problems.

Plus I agree with the comment it takes a second or two to slide down. So if there are other kids around YABU.

belgo · 22/02/2011 15:51

FindingStuff - totally agree. It is not unusual for children to climb up slides the wrong way, most children want to do it. They just have to learn when it is appropriate.

CilantroLarry · 22/02/2011 15:52

DD likes to run down slides screeching 'Batman to the rescue'. I don't let her do this when a place is busy. She might step on an 18 month old crawling up the slide.

GabySolis · 22/02/2011 15:54

YABU. How hard is it to show him the correct way to slide down a slide? The clue is in the name. It's a slide. He wants to climb, then point him in the direction of the climbing frame.

QuickLookBusy · 22/02/2011 15:56

Op my DDs had a small toddler slide, which we used inside during the winter. They did what they liked with it, including turning the whole slide upside down, making dens, climbing up the slide etc.[It actually provided hours and hours of fun]

However.... when they were at toddler groups or park I wouldn't allow them to do that, they had to "fit in" with the other children. I think the main point is your DS is going the wrong way! It's like people who insist on walking in the middle of a public busy stairwell.

usualsuspect · 22/02/2011 15:57

Kids like climbing up slides..you can't change that, didn't you ever do it? but admit its a bit annoying if theres a queue

NinkyNonker · 22/02/2011 16:00

OP: "So go on then AIBU, what's the verdict?"

Chorus: "YABU."

Bugger.

justalittleblackraincloud · 22/02/2011 16:03

Good grief!!

Never knew a slide could cause such a ruck.

Personally, I have no problem with my 19mo playing with a slide however she likes. But if there are other children waiting to go down the slide, then I would encourage her to either use it properly, or to find something else to climb on. But that's more teaching her to be courteous of others, rather than the right or wrong way to play with something.

If she's not effecting anyone else, I couldn't give a hoot if she climbs up or slides down.

FindingStuffToChuckOut · 22/02/2011 16:07

BTW I don't mind if DD want's to climb UP a slide, but she knows (cause I've taught her) that if other kids are around it's A) not appropriate and B) dangerous both to her and other little kids.

lovenamechange100 · 22/02/2011 16:11

YABU I agree with all comments re slides, safety, cleanliness.

But also "He's a climber and thinks slides are for climbing" is it not your job as a parent to teach him to use things correctly in the manner they are designed for.

DaffadownDilly · 22/02/2011 16:12

What a surprise, yet another AIBU where the op clearly doesn't think they are.

Why post if you are the all knowing of righteousness?

FWIW YABU.

bebemooneedsabreak · 22/02/2011 16:22

What I did with my dd who took it into her head that climbing the slide was way more fun then sliding down was taught her rules and etiquette (like I do with everything)
She could climb the slide if no one was around, but she had to watch the top for kids who wanted to come down, and come down immediately when there was someone there. At first I had to point this out and remove her, but now she gets it and I just prompt and she slides down. If we're in an outside park and it's muddy I don't let her climb like that, nor do I let her slide typically as no matter what there's always mud and grime -well I'll let her slide if she's wearing rain clothes-
I don't care if she uses things 'wrong' or if she wants to swing the swing without being on it...or swing from the ropes that the other kids use to walk across... or sit on the rolly things which your supposed stand on and pretend she's a body surfer... she is learning about her environment and how her body works.
At all times when I prompt and point out and talk to her about watching for other kids on the toys, and taking turns and waiting for her own turn.
I follow her around and not so much help her with her play, but help her with the social interacting which needs to occur on the playground.
It's all about sharing (and we as the adults need to help them learn how to do this). I think as long as you're sharing the equipment and actively and openly encouraging your children to share the equipment then you'll encounter it shouldn't be a problem.

(tho I gather it still is for some -life's too short kiddos, have a chocolate)