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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Kid at the gym

51 replies

elizadolittlechoc · 02/03/2015 20:20

AIBU to think that the woman who brought her 7 year old to the gym and expected her to behave while she worked out is unbelievably selfish? The child was sat at a table, consumed 2 packets of crisps and a costa drink and was expected to sit quietly. Unsurprisingly she was shouting "I'm bored, can I play with you, that lady looks funny" etc etc and running around in her outdoor shoes over the stretch mats, strewing crisps. Mummy smiled and made simpering comments like "Don't do that darling, sit nicely, sweety". Unfortunately there was only a junior staff member on duty who simpered along with her. I go to the gym to unwind away from kids (I'm a mum and a teacher). If the woman can't get childcare, why wasn't she running around in the park with her daughter for half an hour on this lovely spring evening? FFFUUUMMMME!!

OP posts:
Leeds2 · 02/03/2015 20:22

I would mention it to the manager, and ask that children not be admitted in future. It is not a place for children.

ghostyslovesheep · 02/03/2015 20:23

blimey you sound angry

it's a kid

IrritatedPartyOf1 · 02/03/2015 20:24

Definitely not on! In my gym there's no under 16's allowed in the room, they can use the pool but cannot enter the gym itself. YANBU

MissMuesli · 02/03/2015 20:24

I'm surprised is didn't break a health and safety rule too. Gyms are not the place for children.

ThisFenceIsComfy · 02/03/2015 20:24

Who brings their kid to a gym? Bizarre.

WhenSheWasBadSheWasHorrid · 02/03/2015 20:25

It's a kid - in the wrong place. Really not appropriate to have a bored 7 year old roaming round.

ilovesooty · 02/03/2015 20:39

The member of staff should have asked them to leave.

doggydaft · 02/03/2015 20:40

I'd be really cheesed off with this too, I specifically use my gym because it's not child friendly Shock
No pool, creche or children's classes Smile and a strict no under 16's policy.

LadyRivers · 02/03/2015 20:43

I have thought about bringing my 8 year old to the gym because she's too old for the creche, I know (hope!) she would behave but it's not fair at the end of the day, on her or other gym users if she misbehaves.

thenextday · 02/03/2015 20:45

That would piss me off

PunkrockerGirl · 02/03/2015 20:45

YANBU. Gym membership is expensive and you should be able to enjoy it without other people's children spoiling the experience.
Can you mention it to the management to hopefully ensure it doesn't happen again?

PurpleSwift · 02/03/2015 20:46

Er , you just don't bring your kid to the gym. YANBU.

ClashCityRocker · 02/03/2015 20:47

YANBU.

IreneA78 · 02/03/2015 20:48

I would annoyed too, although I would expect a 7 yr old girl to be able to behave a bit better than that!!

MarshaBrady · 02/03/2015 20:49

How irritating, yanbu

Teladi · 02/03/2015 20:49

YANBU

treaclesoda · 02/03/2015 20:53

The running around, trailing crisps would annoy me, but I must say that a child sitting quietly in the corner wouldn't bother me at all. The gym I go to quite often has a few children sitting in the corner doing their homework and reading, while their mums attend classes.

Stillyummy · 02/03/2015 20:54

There are often kids at my gym. They are always well behaved and make the adults look bad. However naughty or bored kids would be less welcome.

Don't get me started on those that don't put away there equipment.

londonrach · 02/03/2015 20:54

Yanbu. Surprised child was allowed in as doubt the gym insurance would cover any accidents!

StackladysMorphicResonator · 02/03/2015 20:58

Wow, I'd be livid if someone brought a kid to my gym - it's a completely inappropriate environment to bring a child to, definitely an adults-only space. You should complain.

sleepwhenidie · 02/03/2015 21:03

I have taken ds1 to the gym with me and he sat on the sofa with his iPod for 45 minutes while I worked out, almost always within sight of him. I would be irritated by anyone (not just a child) wandering around trailing food but most people walk on the mats in my gym in the trainers they wear outside so shoes make little difference - don't really see your point about two packets of crisps and a costa drink either judgy much? Hmm I don't think I could get particularly wound up about it tbh, it's not like you were in a yoga class.

sleepwhenidie · 02/03/2015 21:05

Obviously different case if child was playing on machines or in weights section, that would be unsafe and annoying if she prevented you using equipment/space...but I think you would have mentioned that in OP.

ClumsyNinja · 02/03/2015 21:10

Is this the modern day equivalent of taking your kI ds to the pub, giving them a bag of crisps and a bottle of pop whilst you get pissed?

If so, YANBU.

treaclesoda · 02/03/2015 21:12

I regularly go to classes at three different gyms (I don't pay membership to any one gym as no one gym does the classes I want at the times I need) and all of them are fine with children in the gym as long as they sit quietly. I don't bring mine, unless it's to one of the classes specifically for mums and their children, but I had no idea it was so controversial. When I see other people's children there it barely registers with me.

MetellaEstMater · 02/03/2015 21:21

Very common to have children in my gym. It is very small though with instructor led classes only and only a maximum of eight people per class. A lot of people bring babies in prams, and older children sit on the sofa or at a large table doing homework etc.