to get annoyed by big kids in the under 2s section at soft play

[wanderingcloud]

I'm sure its been done before but its just so frustrating when you pay to get in and then little ones can't run around without being bowled down by big kids running riot in the clearly signposted under 2's section. Not even 3 or 4 yr olds but kids who are quite clearly school aged.

I'm feeling particularly unreasonable this evening so I will push this... yes, I could (in fact I did) say something along the lines of aren't you a bit big for this area? But why the hell should I?! I went so my son could climb about safely rather than throwing himself off the sofa. I've paid to get in, I'm supervising my own child as per the very clear signage "children must be supervised at all times". I'm not letting my 15month old toddle about in the older kids section. Why is it unreasonable to think other people should watch their own bloody kids and keep them in the designated area? Why is the onus to keep the under 2s section for under 2s suddenly shifted onto me?!

Tell them that they are not allowed to be in there, and to get out. It's really hard to keep an eye on multiple children, but if I knew my older ones were in an area that they shouldn't be then I would be mortified, and would be grateful to anyone who them to scram.

Good point about asking for a refund, I might well say that next time. And yeah, the more reasonable side of me knows it is nigh on impossible to watch them all the time in these places. As stated above, feeling especially pregnant and pissed off this evening!

YANBU my first ever experience of soft play was a birthday party my then 13-month old DD was invited to. The place had a huge caged bit with slides and tunnels etc, then a small part for the under 2s with a little ball pool. The big kids - including birthday boy all hyped up on cake and presents - were leaping into it and landing on my DD. I hate the places as it seems to happen every time we go. No idea why they'd prefer the toddlers bit when they've got their own awesome section.

As long as you don't get arsey when your toddler gets knocked over by a really big kid (10+) on the skate ramp when there is plenty of kit elsewhere in the park aimed at little children, then YANBU

Yanbu, I nearly started this exact same thread last week! My 10mo got knocked over and trodden on by a herd of at least 8yos charging through the under 3's section whilst the parents sat watching they left when I asked them to but I got filthy looks from the parents for the rest of the time we were there.

YANBU. I've tried the "where's your mother?" question when an older kid has been an arse, but they just smile and say nothing. It's impossible to know which mother the kid belongs to!

I used to just say to them. "This section is for under fives. Are you under five?". That worked and they stayed out!

There are never enough signs asking parents to watch thier children, it would take two seconds to say -

" hi - 4 pounds please, and please make sure if your children are not under 3 they do not go in the under threes, many thanks!"

Ours is good in that staff will go and tell them to get out - they do care in our one thank goodness!

If the soft play you use isnt bothered about enforcing rules they set you are in for a rocky ride arnt you!

YANBU
There's a play barn where I used to go with DS on my day off and it happened all the time. I would tell the grown up kids to go to their area but it was one after the other and got bored of having to police it and spend all my time telling kids off. I just don't bother taking DS there anymore.

YANBU but your options are either to find a soft-play where the staff are a bit more hands-on - and they do exist - or be pro-active yourself.

I have no problem turfing older children out of the baby area at our local soft-play, and if the parents want to sit and give me dirty looks instead of drinking tea and MN-ing, that's a matter for them!

Drives me mad. When DS was 10m he got kicked in the head by a child of about 7 or 8 running through the baby section.

YANBU - I do tell children politely but firmly they are too big for some areas (teacher voice) if they clearly shouldn't be there. Which almost always sorts it out, but I do feel annoyed that I am basically parenting someone else's kids when they should be doing it themselves.

I think it's an excellent idea to ask for a refund, btw - it has never occurred to me to do that, but if you end up paying for something you can't use, why not?

Oooh goodoint Jenai

I witnessed an unsavoury comfrontation between skateboarder and parent of toddler, who thought it was quite all right for her toddler to scoot around the very ddep bowl at a skatepark

YANBU OP. Older children simply aren't aware of very small children, especially in an environment like soft play. It's not their fault, but they could really hurt a small baby or toddler if they fall on them.

I don't follow mine around (nearly 3 and 5), but I do know where they are generally. If they wandered into the under 2's area I would get them out straight away.

Unfortunately, some parents use soft play as a licence to ignore their offspring completely and simply have no idea what they're up to for the whole time.

YANBU. It's a pita.
Some children don't cause a problem so I don't always raise the issue but yesterday I saw what could on,y be described as a parent -sanctioned cage fight between two 8 year olds on the toddler trampoline.