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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To think you don't need to buy a second trampoline

44 replies

Duskydawn · 09/02/2015 06:58

I know it's none of my business, but..

My friend has two kids and one trampoline. Both kids enjoy bouncing on the trampoline, but for health and safety reasons they cannot go on at the same time, so will occasionally argue and fight over whose turn it is. My friend has just told me that she is buying a second trampoline, so they can have one each.

I think this will prevent the kids from learning to take turns and to share. AIBU?

OP posts:
Sirzy · 09/02/2015 07:04

If they want to then why not? It's not that unusual for siblings to have the same toy. I would imagine most people can't due to space /money!

MagpieCursedTea · 09/02/2015 07:05

It's really up to her how many trampolines she buys for her kids. YABU.

WhatismyLife · 09/02/2015 07:07

I think its actually quite a good idea.

FishWithABicycle · 09/02/2015 07:07

YANBU but it's none of your business.
Very very few families enforce the one-child-at-a-time rule. It's true that most injuries occur when there's more than one person (usually one much bigger than the other) but with supervision and constant reminders to be careful not to bounce too near each other such injuries are rare. The manufacturers put over-cautious warnings on everything to ensure they can't possibly be sued in the event of any accident. It doesn't therefore follow that contravening the warning will lead to instant tragedy.

flipchart · 09/02/2015 07:15

What an excellent idea!

Gileswithachainsaw · 09/02/2015 07:16

What's the problem. up to them surely.

of course they will learn to share. trampolines are not the only way to do that. dramatic much

ANewMein2015 · 09/02/2015 07:18

I think it's mad (so much more fun to have joint toys) but up to them...

skylark2 · 09/02/2015 07:20

You don't need to even buy a first trampoline - it's a luxury.

I think it's a bit sad that there isn't something different her kids would rather have and share than a duplicate of the same toy so no sharing is required, but if money and space are both no object?

No, of course having one each of a single toy won't prevent them learning to share. Never having to share anything might.

AnnaFiveTowns · 09/02/2015 07:21

If I enforced the rule of one child at a time (which I don't) then I'd probably get two trampolines. They're fantastic value for money when you think of the years of use they get. In the spring and summer mine go on theirs every day - and they've had it for 7 years now. It's great fun and great exercise. What's the difference between getting them a trampoline each and say, a bike each? You wouldn't expect them to share a bike. Most people only have one because they let lots of kids go at once and they simply wouldn't have the space for two.

Any child with siblings has to learn to take turns and share in the course of their day to day lives anyway so that's a non issue.

treaclesoda · 09/02/2015 07:21

Most siblings don't have to share one bike and take turns on it, but they manage to grow up without becoming selfish monsters. Why is it only some toys that are deemed to be important to share?

Cornonthecob · 09/02/2015 07:24

If they have the space and money it's up to them!

We bought a 2nd (refurbished fwiw!!) ipad last year so our 2 dc don't need to share!!!

TikiTigeress · 09/02/2015 07:24

If I had the room Id happily buy a second one.

I quite often do but the same present for each child purely to save on the arguments, both my children know how to share (even the one with asd) but that said dd with asd does struggle to at games with input from her ds therefore to have a second toy for when she isn't in a sharing mood works well for us.

jaynebxl · 09/02/2015 07:24

Bikes and trampolines are not comparable. Firstly kids need a bike their size. Secondly they need one each for going to the park together in my experience. A trampoline is easy to take turns with and a great opportunity to enforce practice of the skill of sharing. I bet if she gets two there will be a flurry of times in the first week when both children use them and then never more.

Original poster
Duskydawn · 09/02/2015 07:32

Treacle, that's an interesting point that some toys are deemed more important to share.

I'd say ideally, assuming money and space are not an issue, each family member would have their own bike, because they are usually different ages and heights, and adjusting the bike to the correct height every time, and possibly adding or removing stabilisers when each different child wanted a turn would be a hassle. Also it would enable everyone to go out on a bike ride together as a family. I think it would be difficult to share a bike between multiple children, although in saying that for financial reasons I'm sure many families do.

Whereas ideally a games console you would probably only need one (or one of each type as some different consoles run different games) as most games are multiplayer and have multiple controllers, so the family can play together.

OP posts:
Bettybodybooboo · 09/02/2015 07:33

What a great idea. If they have the room fantastic!

Should gyms only have one bike? One cross trainer?

Wierd thread.

SnowWhiteAteTheApple · 09/02/2015 07:39

Sounds a great idea. Just because you have siblings doesn't mean subsequent children have to have everything shared or handed down. It's nice to have things of your own.

littlejohnnydory · 09/02/2015 09:18

Why can't they go on at the same time? Isn't that the fun, bouncing together on it? My three play on theirs together all the time!

DandyHighwayman · 09/02/2015 10:23

Johnny it's the risk of injury with multiple users partic w different size/weight. Single use is safest.

JamesAndTheGiantBanana · 09/02/2015 10:35

More money than sense.

DoraGora · 09/02/2015 10:42

I think she needs a second garden and a reasonably sized house to go with it. I like privileged kids. There's nothing better than a lively sense of entitlement.

Wailywailywaily · 09/02/2015 10:54

Ha, so much more harm can be done by two trampolines. Also so much more fun, especially if you get rid of the stupid safety nets Grin
Jumping/somersaulting from one to the other,
Jumping from one to another to somersault into the paddling pool...

Micah · 09/02/2015 11:00

As a trampoline coach you don't even need a first trampoline.

Hate them :)

ANewMein2015 · 09/02/2015 11:14

Why's that MIcah? My daughter does gymnastics at a club and we just got one (for fun). She doesn't really do trampolining at the club but will happily show me the pike/straddle/star/whatever and it seems good exercise. (We know she's not to practice bars/beam etc at home even if we had the equipment). She knows full well not to attempt anything like somersaults....

Gileswithachainsaw · 09/02/2015 11:22

Why are people so resentful of others buying things?

If people save up and are sensible and then are able to indulge in a pricy purchase be case that's what they want to do then that's up to them surely.

If kids are being brought up to be spoiled brats became parents don't discipline properly or whatever then you cab do as much damage with a packet of haribo than you can with a bike or a toy or a trampoline.

They felt it was safer and more fun to have two trampolines. that's a reasonable conclusion tbh and just because you or I wouldn't do it doesn't mean that the person is bonkers or has more money than sense.

Gileswithachainsaw · 09/02/2015 11:27

No one bats an eye lid multiple screens or dime vices or cars or holidays.

but trampolines.....yeah right little extravagant purchase that.

least it's getting kids out exercising

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