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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To just want to go to th park and not pay £55 a week for soft play

166 replies

bestteacherinwales · 18/07/2017 13:26

That's it really. We live in an area of natural beauty. With wonderful parks on our doorstep but my group of friends much prefer going to soft play.

It costs £4.50 entry. £3.00 for kids lunch with drink and £5.00 for an adults meal. Not including coffee and a drink. I spend £20 every time I go.

I now eat my own meal before leaving but I still spend £55 a week going to soft play as we go three days a week.

I understand when it's raining or cold but on a beautiful summers day or even when the weather is dry and reasonably warm I think it's better to go to the park.

We could have a picnic. Ham sandwich, cheese string, bottle of juice, little cake,fruit. Maximum of £5 total cost for a few hours and food for both of us.

AIBU to think soft play is a wast of money when you can go to the park?

I do know what they mean. They said in th have park you have to watch the Children as they could wander off while in soft play you can relax knowing they can't get out and it's more relaxing as a result.

I agree and love soft play because I can read a book while having a latte 😁

But I think three times a week is excessive and we could spend some times at the park. It's better for them to get fresh air anyway.

AIBU?

OP posts:
Fishbiscuits · 18/07/2017 16:13

You are all being very unreasonable. Kids still need supervision at soft play. I am sick of parents who see it just as somewhere to relax while the kids play and don't take any flipping notice.

Your friends are totally unreasonable to sit drinking coffee instead of supervising their children. They are "these" rude and entitled parents hmm

Depends on the soft play area. The one I usually go to, 90% of the main play area is above the parents heads (baby/toddler areas are on the ground level so supervisable) so without following your child around (which you are definitely not encouraged to do) it is impossible to watch them. Luckily my children have never hit, bitten or bullied other children and would soon come running and tell me if any other children were to do anything to them.

AtHomeDadGlos · 18/07/2017 16:13

£4.50 a time entry...so that makes £13.50 total for three times a week. Stop buying coffee and take your kid a drink and a snack? That way you save £40 odd.

Also, just say 'no, we're off to the park today'.

IStoleDipsysHat · 18/07/2017 16:17

WTAF to all those saying you don't need to supervise your kids as much.
There's so many places they could hide and get up to all sorts. If anything they need more supervision because of this. Even toddlers aren't stupid they know they can't be seen and will start trying to take other kids heads off and shitting down the slide.

Don't even think for a second oh but my little whoever would never, they would, they just would. Kids who get a whiff of no adult presence or inattentive adults soon devolve into Lord of The Flies tribes.

You know there have been lots of parents on here complaining about soft play hell and ineffectual parenting...All the poster here who have posted how you don't have to be as on the ball, I'm afraid I have some bad news for you. You are those parents. You know the ones, too busy sipping coffee and having a gas. If you want to chat with your mates and have the cash to go to soft play, hire a baby sitter and go and have lunch.

OP YANBU.

IHopeYouStepOnALegoPiece · 18/07/2017 16:21

£200 a month on fucking soft play?! Are you having a laugh!?

Just stop buying food and drink there for a start...and go to the park if you want to go the park

£200 A MONTH?!

SandyDenny · 18/07/2017 16:23

If you can't afford it don't go, do your friends all high paying part time jobs or wealthy partners, how can they all afford it?

Farm park every week, sounds like you need to mix it up a bit

SandyDenny · 18/07/2017 16:23

If you can't afford it don't go, do your friends all high paying part time jobs or wealthy partners, how can they all afford it?

Farm park every week, sounds like you need to mix it up a bit

NanFlanders · 18/07/2017 16:23

I know that there have been cutbacks and closures in a lot of areas, but when mine were little we lived at the Surestart centre. Might be a compromise if there is one near you?

MommaGee · 18/07/2017 16:34

Meh, more money than sense

I like my friends too but I don't need to see them 4 times a week especially doing something I don't want to do.

Just take your kids to the park or let them wild in the garden. Tell your friends you fancy a change. Your friendship won't fall apart if you don't see them every day

supersop60 · 18/07/2017 16:36

YANBU to want to go to the park instead of soft play. So, just do it. If your friends don't want to go that's up to them - you have to do what's right for you and your dc. You'll probably meet more like-minded friends at the park anyway.
Check out the library or Town hall for more free summer activities.

Bumpsadaisie · 18/07/2017 16:37

Good god. You go three times a week? It's bringing me out in hives just thinking about it!

Bodicea · 18/07/2017 16:39

Don't you have any local toddler groups near you? They are a lot cheaper than soft play.
Could you suggest alternating having everyone round to someone's house once a week?
Am sure if you were reasonable about it your friends might attempt to at least meet you half way.
I don't know anyone that goes to soft play that much.

coddiwomple · 18/07/2017 16:41

If you can't afford it don't go, do your friends all high paying part time jobs or wealthy partners, how can they all afford it?

who cares?

Blondeshavemorefun · 18/07/2017 16:48

3 times a week. Every week

Insane

Once a fortnight is plenty

Think you need to make done new friends. You don't need to see the same group 3 times a week

What do you do on the other 2 week days?

Go to park. Say to your friends let's do something diff twice a week

Meet at each other's houses. Have a picnic. Feed ducks - go to M&T

And yes soft play isn't a place you are meant to read book in peace while kids run havoc play alone

toosexyforyahshirt · 18/07/2017 17:53

How on earth can you sit and read a book while your child is in softplay! You should be watching them, playing with them or making sure they are ok

Easily! I don't think my 6 and 8 year olds need me to follow them around watching them play, and if they aren't ok they will let me know.

coddiwomple · 18/07/2017 18:08

your 6 and 8 years old might be ok, but what about the 3-4 years old that are being pushed and trampled?

I am sure you have little angels, but I have been in enough soft plays with my own to witness how bad kids are. Sometimes they are not even malicious, just over excited and not careful, which is fair enough at 6. But that's why some of us parents keep a close eye on things and judge those who don't!

Ecureuil · 18/07/2017 18:09

your 6 and 8 years old might be ok, but what about the 3-4 years old that are being pushed and trampled?

Exactly what I was going to say

toosexyforyahshirt · 18/07/2017 18:15

Mine don't push and trample anyone, but there are separate areas for the under 5's, so where we go, if your three year old is getting trampled then you've let them wander into the wrong area, which is not my problem!

witsender · 18/07/2017 18:19

There is a farm park near us which has soft play, we go about once a week. A bit of a break for me and they like it.

But why do you have to go if they do? Just do your own thing.

honeylulu · 18/07/2017 18:28

If I'd taken mine every week (let alone 3 x a week) the novelty would have well and truly worn off quite quickly.
I do find it a handy "wet weather" thing to do now and again.

coddiwomple · 18/07/2017 18:32

Mine don't push and trample anyone, but there are separate areas for the under 5's, so where we go, if your three year old is getting trampled then you've let them wander into the wrong area, which is not my problem!

How do you know your kids don't push if you are not keeping an eye on them? Yes, you are one of those parents. Entitled, selfish and rude raising little entitled brats. I judge.

Even a 5 year old gets trampled by the way.

Topbananaa · 18/07/2017 18:38

Honestly people , if your kids are causing so much mayhem in soft play that you aren't able to sit and have a coffee and chat with friends while they play you need to re-think your parenting strategies. They really don't need constant helicopter parenting.

wobblywonderwoman · 18/07/2017 18:38

I have a two and a three year old and we go in the winter some evenings after I finish work about half four until six and I might get them a sandwich there (mostly don't )

In this weather .. No way. Library is free. Parks. Free. Going to look at the boats / picnic - super cheap. Last night we went to a favourite hotel for dinner and it was reasonable (I had a starter and they had ice cream)

I couldn't pay that much money or be cooped in!

Ecureuil · 18/07/2017 18:47

Mine don't push and trample anyone, but there are separate areas for the under 5's, so where we go, if your three year old is getting trampled then you've let them wander into the wrong area, which is not my problem!

In many places I've been, unsupervised over 5's go in the under 5's area and trample toddlers while their parents are reading books and drinking coffee, which is why I hover.

Ecureuil · 18/07/2017 18:48

(Hover over my toddlers I mean)

Stuffofawesome · 18/07/2017 18:50

Think of what you would rather do with more than 2 grand a year and go do it