To STOP or NOT to stop?

[jumpingjellybeann]

Basically as a family we are all going away camping and in caravans, there will be lots of us adults going and a few children, however one adult ( my cousin) is 22 years old and is develop mentally a lot younger but completely harmless and very sweet .. when we go to the campsite we know she will show interest in the parks there and will want to go for a play ( she looks a lot younger than she is and is very very small for her age) what would you do?? Would you allow her to go for a play or try and explain to her why she can't?we have tried to explain why before and she ended up in tears not understanding why she couldn't, we have tried getting her to help take the younger one to the park but again didn't understand why she couldn't go on the swings etc

We don't want to make other park users feel uncomfortable with a 22 year old being there ( I can understand why people may feel like this) but she is really harmless and doesn't ever interact with anyone outside of the family.

I know reading this you may think it's a troll but I can reassure you that this is a genuine question as we are now considering cancelling the holiday :(

I always go on the swings when playing with my DD at the park - obviously, if there is a cue of little people waiting for a turn I jump off and leave them too it.

Aslong as she isn't knocking children down etc - what's the problem?

Queue

Why would she not go to the park?

Just ensure no one hogs one particular swing or slide (her, you, DD etc).

unless there's something else we don't know, it feels like a bit of a non issue.

Thankyou i guess we are just over thinking it and worried we will upset someone, we have always been brought up to be told Adults are not allowed to play on anything at the park as it's for kids!

Thankyou :) we will make sure she gets off as soon as someone else shows interest :)

Take her. Keep an eye so she doesn't hog any swing etc. My DDs are late-teens / early twenties and will still have a swing.

A few weeks ago some friends and I went to the local playground around midnight. No one else was there and we had a blast.

Yesterday I went to a swing next to 8yr she god-daughter to see who could swing highest.

It's fine.

It really wouldn't bother me. I'd probably think she was just playing with a kid and not think twice I probably wouldn't think anything of it in the first place. My OH always on the slide and swings with our little one.

😂 I'm always on the playground with my kids. They love that I play with them. Forget about what anyone else thinks!

I think (most) people use a bit of discretion and recognise when it's a disabled adult.

As adults, we always went on the swings if there are any free, and as soon as any children look remotely interested we jump off, and indicate they're free. Why wouldn't you? Adults like fun too
Now I'm older I get a bit motionsick so I don't go on as often.

Also, I would say that many, many campers are kind and welcoming, particularly of children with additional needs, I doubt anyone would bat an eyelid. I have found that for my hold with AS, camping is brilliant, as she's familiar with our tent, and knows it well, but finds hotel rooms stressful and odd. She adores camping.

First of all, adults can use a he playpark equipment as long as they don't endanger children and always defer to children.

Secondly, if she is developmentally a child, then IMO she has the same right as any 'actual' child to access children's facilities. But, just as with a child, you'd have to monitor her and ensure that she shared to the best of her abilities.

Agree with everyone else. It might be worth getting the explicit approval of the owners/managers of the site beforehand, so that if you do get any unpleasant people complaining it's easier to deal with - obviously you'd want to put it to them as confirming that obviously it should be fine rather than sounding like you're asking permission which they might refuse IYSWIM.

I hope you all have a lovely holiday.