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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To wish adults wouldn't throw balls up the slide at soft play?

63 replies

YesIamYourSisterInLaw · 20/03/2013 18:00

Because I can't explain to my toddler why its ok for them to do it and not him. Obviously as adults we are able to comprehend not throwing them when someone is coming down the slide etc but young children do not have that logical thought yet.
Why do it? you pains in the ass

OP posts:
aldiwhore · 20/03/2013 18:02

If it's in the toddler area YANBU.

UnChartered · 20/03/2013 18:03

because it's fun and interacting with the children?

ChocsAwayInMyGob · 20/03/2013 18:05

I throw them up the slide so my son can roll them down again.

I don't do it if others are on the slide.

YABU

fluckered · 20/03/2013 18:07

unless balls in soft play areas are now concrete with nails sticking out of them yabu.

thebody · 20/03/2013 18:15

They are soft balls so what does it matter.

Let your dc throw them. Unless he's on course for a fast bowler for England then he isn't really going to mortally wound anyone.

Catchingmockingbirds · 20/03/2013 18:16

Yanbu.

Tailtwister · 20/03/2013 18:17

Slide etiquette is an important thing to learn imo. If you treat it as a toy to throw things up (or encourage them to climb up from the bottom) sooner or later they'll end up with a foot in the face from a child sliding down. Best to teach it early on imo.

YANBU OP!

Wishiwasanheiress · 20/03/2013 18:17

No but my 2yr old doesn't want one in the face from ur child when u stop and they don't. And vice versa obvs. Agree with op. YANBU.

claraschu · 20/03/2013 18:17

Agree with thebody. Let him throw balls (within reason); they don't hurt anyone.

catgirl1976 · 20/03/2013 18:21

My 15mo DS climbs up from the bottom

He enjoys it

If someone is coming down I stop him

If he gets a foot in the face at some point, meh - lesson learned

It's softplay. It's pretty padded and soft. Throwing balls will not cause wounding

Rhubarbgarden · 20/03/2013 18:26

Yanbu. It might sound petty, but trying to explain to a toddler why throwing balls is ok at soft play but throwing rocks in the garden is not ok is not easy.

Goodwordguide · 20/03/2013 18:35

But surely throwing a soft ball is ok and throwing rocks is not and that's something children need to learn very early on?

zippey · 20/03/2013 18:38

I love throwing balls up slides. It's soft play, the clue is in the name. Play means having fun.

dzidzia · 20/03/2013 18:44

It may be soft and padded, but my Dd came back with huge bruise on her cheek. I agree OP slide is for sliding down

SolomanDaisy · 20/03/2013 18:44

What, the soft balls from the ball pool? Half the fun is throwing them. Children need to learn what and when it's ok to throw. Ball pool balls at soft play are fine for throwing.

Neighbourhoodwatchbitch · 20/03/2013 18:56

Lol... Were you at Zoomania in Aylesbury today?

Looks guilty

JollyYellowGiant · 20/03/2013 19:01

Slides are for sliding down. DS was taught early on that this is the case. He still can't work out why some other children are allowed to climb up. I don't understand why you wouldn't teach your child appropriate behaviour from the start.

He is also not allowed to throw balls, anywhere, because although it is fun for a 13month old to throw things around, by the time they get bigger they could hurt someone. Again, DS was taught this from the start.

We have had free entry to a local soft play (3 min drive away) since DS was 11 months so have visited most weeks when the place is quiet.

JollyYellowGiant · 20/03/2013 19:03

Sorry, should clarify, he can throw balls at home or in the football area of soft play, just not in the toddler area or around the slides.

hazeyjane · 20/03/2013 19:05

Do you mean the soft squooshy slides? Like big wedges of cheese? They have this sort at our local softplay and ds climbs up it, and rolls balls down it, because he does this when he uses the nursery soft play for physio. I wouldn't let him do it if there were other children on it though.

catgirl1976 · 20/03/2013 19:10

Umm..........slides, and other bits of play equipment are for playing on

There isn't a set of rules on how play equipment should be used. Children need to explore, use imagination and learn what they can and can't to via trial and error.

Parents need to supervise to ensure safety and fair play (eg "No you cannot climb the slide now as this little girl is having her turn" or "you cannot throw rocks, they are hard and will hurt people") but not stop them exploring or trying things out.

drjohnsonscat · 20/03/2013 19:12

My children are allowed to climb up slides. Because its a play area and as long as they are not being dangerous it's all fine. They are also allowed to just twirl round on the swing instead of swinging on it and may try to climb up the fireman's pole instead of down it. There are no regulations on this beyond common sense unless I have missed the latest edict from Ofplay - the govt playground regulator.

quesadilla · 20/03/2013 19:15

I can't see the problem, myself, unless your child is doing it in an aggressive way.

SmiteYouWithThunderbolts · 20/03/2013 19:18

slide etiquette Grin That one will tickle me all night long.

Original poster
YesIamYourSisterInLaw · 20/03/2013 19:30

Yes it's in the toddler area and yes the balls are soft ish but there not made of sponge and still hurt when throw in another child's face. Plus it's not always just toddlers in the toddler area.
To me it just mixed messages, yes you can throw it now but not in 2 seconds no thats not ok.
No not squishy slides they are actual slides just smaller for toddlers.
Neighbourhood no your safe it wasn't you Grin

OP posts:
Neighbourhoodwatchbitch · 20/03/2013 19:34

I was hoping that lol! There wasn't anyone else in the ball pit at the time! My LO is only 15 months so I was quite enjoying the confusion on his face because he didn't know where the balls were coming from lol!