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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

taking my dc to the skate park? have a commited some horrible teenage faux par

117 replies

Esmeismyhero · 01/06/2016 18:57

We live in a fairly quite town and recently my dc (4 and 5) wanted tot ake their bikes to the skate park. There were maybe 3 or 4 teenagers there and tbh they were very good with the kids, I managed to keep them out of the teenagers way etc.

The dc loved it, going on the ramps with their bikes and watching the tricks the other kids were doing but am I being a nuisance being there?

One teenager was a bit of a shit looked annoyed that were there but in fairness the kids were not in their way.

the dc want to go again, I know its holidays and probably a cool hangout but if it was packed I wouldn't let the dc go there and if they were annoying the teenagers I wouldn't.

aibu?

OP posts:
EatShitDerek · 01/06/2016 18:58

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

JackandDiane · 01/06/2016 19:01

thee has been a long thread about this before and no one approved
Its really not on - maybe first thing in the morning, but as teenagers who get ENDLESS grief for skateboarding everywhere my son gets hacked off with kids who spend a long time taking over the ramps.
Mine used to watch the skaters when they were little, i would never have dreamed of letting them use the space - also its dangerous, small kids careering around as skaters pass

JackandDiane · 01/06/2016 19:02

re reads

you say they arent annoying them - but that one kid looked annoyed.
How about speaking to the skaters? Or, as I said, going early

I bet you would chuck teenagers out out the kids playpark!

eightbluebirds · 01/06/2016 19:02

YANBU. But there's very few places teens feel like they can hang out exclusively. (yes yes i know, it's a public place) AND EatShit is totally on point. So if they enjoyed it, do go back. I'd probably just pick my times carefully and keep it infrequent.

hollie11 · 01/06/2016 19:03

Go before midday......teens will still be in bed and you'll have it all to yourselves

MoreGilmoreGirls · 01/06/2016 19:04

There's one near us and there always seems to be a complete mix of ages there, I've seen no big ones getting shirty with the little ones as yet. But maybe stick to mornings as more teenagers seems to congregate in the pm.

JackandDiane · 01/06/2016 19:04

it is dangerous though - Son broke his wrist three times. They go fast.
I think sometimes people need to say NO to kids they can go there when they are older

Rumpelstiltskin143 · 01/06/2016 19:07

It's a skate park, not a bike park!

Beeziekn33ze · 01/06/2016 19:07

It was ok that time, don't go too often and play it by ear I reckon.

MrsSpecter · 01/06/2016 19:10

Is it a teen skatepark? Specifically for teens? I'm guessing not. Buy your kids a skateboard each and take them as often as you like.

lifesalongsong · 01/06/2016 19:15

I'd say try to avoid the busiest time with the teens, little kids have lots of parks to play on< there's very little for teens. As others have said a smaller child who doesn't know what they're doing can cause accidents.

Other posters are right, go early and you'll probably have the park to yourselves.

rainytea · 01/06/2016 19:16

We take our kids (2&4) to the local one. They use their scooters but it's used by BMX, inline skaters, skate boarders. We go really early at the weekend and there's never usually anyone there. If there is, we only let them use it if they're not in the way. If there are a few people, then they get to watch the cool tricks and then leave!

It's only for safety that we don't let them on. In fairness it's not just the size, but the skill level too. If there's a newbie then they're slower and less in control than the more experienced guys, which is a hazard regardless of their size.

And the better they are, the less they seem to care if we're there too.

So YANBU, but it's about safety really, I think.

Mishmashpotatoes · 01/06/2016 19:17

My ex was a skater and always got pissed at younger kids that didn't use the skate park properly, just because they're not riding about in front of anyone doesn't mean that they aren't in the way. Standing on top of ramps where he would need to finish was his greatest annoyance.

Go in the morning when it's quiet.

NeedsAsockamnesty · 01/06/2016 19:19

I bet you would chuck teenagers out out the kids playpark

Most playparks have signs around them with an upper age limit around here it's 12.

If the skate park does not have a lower age limit then the two are not relevant

ElsaAintAsColdAsMe · 01/06/2016 19:24

My ds would help little ones as well and be utterly charming with it, but in reality it's the only place they have to hang out and mess about without pissing everyone off.

I would go early morning and leave when anyone else arrives, there are thousands of places for kids to play, teenagers, not so much.

Littleorangecat · 01/06/2016 19:27

I saw a situation like this happening over the weekend. It was very dangerous I thought, the little one on his scooter aged about 4 unaware and cutting across the ramps rather than up & down. The teens narrowly missing him and having to swerve. The dad seemed totally unconcerned that his son was being a nuisance and about to get run over / crashed into any second. I couldn't watch.
I think this is teen territory really, unless you can go really, really early.

GeorgeTheThird · 01/06/2016 19:29

I agree. Mornings only is best for littlies

megletthesecond · 01/06/2016 19:31

Best to go in the morning before the teenagers appear. They're entitled to some public space of their own without having to dodge younger kids.

ItsAllGoingToBeFine · 01/06/2016 19:32

I think it is fine as long as you have enough knowledge to genuinely make sure they are not getting in the way. Try and pick quiet times, and don't stay for too long either.

ToxicBits · 01/06/2016 19:32

Get them some skates or a board and you'll probably find some teens will actively want to teach them

LizzieVereker · 01/06/2016 19:33

I think YWNBU today, as it sounds as though your DCs were not in the way on this occasion. However, I think you should not let them on a subsequent occasion, partly for their own safety as accidents can happen very quickly at a skate park, and some older skaters might not be aware of them. Also as PPs have said, there are far more places for small DCs to play than teens, so it seems a bit selfish in a way.

OhMyGoddess · 01/06/2016 19:34

I agree with meglet. Every single play park in the land is aimed at younger kids.

LyndaNotLinda · 01/06/2016 19:37

YABU. Of course they were in the way. The park is aimed at teens, just as the playground is aimed at your kids.

Fine to take them early when no one else is using it but it's unfair to take advantage of teens' goodwill

DonkeyOaty · 01/06/2016 19:38

Yes agree

Mornings only and scoot off once the creatures of the night appear

Contrary to pop opinion most teens are kind and patient; don't take advantage, yeah?

Torchlight86 · 01/06/2016 19:38

Am I missing something? We have just had a new skate park built in our community area, I'm pretty sure it's not specifically for teens? They don't have a monopoly on it do they?! Hmm

My DS is desperate to go and to be honest it didn't even cross my mind that he wouldn't be 'allowed' because teens would be there, I just, like you, assumed we would be polite to them and not get in their way and there wouldn't be an issue!!