to think that DCs should be supervised on bouncy castle slide

[motherofallhangovers]

Went to a fete today. DS (3.5) went on a bouncy castle slide thing.

We paid, and he came down it once, all smiles, then ran round the back again. He didn't appear again for ages, so I went round the back to see if he needed help.

I wasn't prepared for the absolute carnage that I saw! There were about 20 children trying to get up the two ladders. The ladders were both quite difficult to manage and many of the children were struggling. It was pandemonium! DCs of all ages were pushing each other out of the way, falling down, trampling other DCs. One toddler (maybe 2.5 or 3) in particular kept getting knocked back and pushed off the slide, and fallen on by older DCs. I was worried his neck was going to get hurt. Another mum turned up and between us we restored some sanity, picked the little ones up, told them not to push each other, helped them up the ladders.

I found the young guy we'd paid (£1.80) and said there should be someone round the back to supervise. He said that there was a guy, but he was away right now. I said it was dangerous, he went and got him (the boss I think). I told him that it had been getting dangerous. He said "there's no blood, it's all fine"

10 minutes later, the "boss" was off round the front again, chatting on his mobile. A little boy was struggling at the top, his dad was standing on the bottom of the bouncy castle to give him a hand up. When the boss came back, he had a go at the guy for standing on the bouncy castle. He said "I was helping my son". The "boss" was really arsey and said he'd have to pay him if he broke it. The dad said, incredulously, "what about my son's safety?!"

I said there really needed to be an adult to supervise, that it wasn't safe. He was getting visibly annoyed with me, but I can't believe he though it was fine to let so many kids be unsupervised! It was round the back, where no adults could see them. There seemed to be no time limits (or age restrictions) they just kept piling kids on, and it was getting really crowded. If parents are meant to supervise that should be made clear.

Sorry that was an essay, but had to get it off my chest!
WABU to expect the guy to actually supervise his bouncy castle slide?

penis did you miss the bit where I was trying to supervise my ds(2) and they were trying to stop me because of health and safety? and i didnt pay it was a free show, if it makes any difference.

Nailak I would hazard a guess that it was for your safety and the safety of the children, as the safe loadings for children's inflatables do not include adults. That's why children need to be of a certain independence and age to go on.

so how can i supervise my kids if i am not allowed near

Ok well my advice to operators of inflatables would be set a minimum age limit that they feel could enjoy the experience safely without a parent literally standing next to them. The operator needs to do this as they know their equipment the best. For example I would think that a normal bouncy castle would allow on younger children than one where they go into it on their own. Since the structures are not safe for adults to stand on (unless rescuing in an emergency) the age should be such that they don't need parental assistance. However this is what I would expect from a competent operator, and it's clear from this thread that they are a rare breed.
I personally wouldn't allow my DS (18 months) on any inflatable as he's still so clingy and wouldn't interact well with the other kids. You clearly felt that your 2 year old could cope on his own in your situation?

Its quite simple, if your children are young enough to need you to climb on with them, they are too young to go in at all. I despair of people throwing tiny children onto big bouncy castles and slides and then wondering why they are roaring crying or bruised in minutes. Small children and inflatables don't mix.

WSS ^^

My child could have managed the climb absolutely fine if it weren't for the many other DCs piling on at the same time, pushing and shoving. The problem was that they were unsupervised, and it had got very out of hand - not that it wasn't age appropriate.

I think Nailak and you have different issues OP

my 2 year old had his two sisters on with him, and he was fine, just missed the point that he was supposed to go out and down the slide and was jumping around inside! lol

the other boy who was crying was older, i think he had been stood on or something.

"I think Nailak and you have different issues OP"

I agree :)

Sorry I should have made it more clear, the last post was a reply to "penis"

There's a sentence you never thought you'd say :o

ObviouslyItsTheOlympics

YANBU. They are the most dangerous of all fairground/amusement park attractions.