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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

to be really annoyed out local soft play centre has installed three ipads within the play area

111 replies

Drqedwa · 17/03/2018 21:59

okay so im not even sure why I am so annoyed about this really but I am.

My sons are three and four. I limit their ipad usage to 30 mins a day each. Im not anti ipads but I like them to have limited use of them at this age.

We have a varied week with different activities and one place they love going to is the local soft play. Today I noticed the soft play place have installed three ipads within the main play frame. My sons were immediately drawn to them but there was no way I was paying a combined £13 for then to sit down watching a screen. So I told them they were not allowed play on the ipads unti! 10 mins before home time. My oldest to his credit obeyed but my y youngest spent half the time playing on them. There were loads of children just watching the ipads when beforr they would have been running around using up energy.

I just think children have enough technology eithout the need for ipads in a soft play centre. The very reason I take my sons to soft play is to burn some energy off and do physical activity. Or else they might aswell stay indoors and ssve my money!

The table next to us were also annoyed about the ipads and said to me they csnt see why they needed to be in the main play area and not downstairs or out of the main play area a bit so that parents could more easily control when their child went on them.

AIBU to think ipads werr not necessary in thr main play frame and to be annoyed they were installed?

OP posts:
insancerre · 18/03/2018 07:11

Yanbu
Why would they do that?
Spend your money elsewhere and make sure you tell them why you won't be back

HuskyMcClusky · 18/03/2018 07:16

Tell your child not to play on the iPad. Surely that is end of the issue?

Yes, because tell them once and that will definitely be it. They will never nag to use the iPad/join in with other kids using the iPad/ try to get on the iPad the second you’re not looking.

/sarcasm/

What would end the issue is not to stick effing screens in places that are for physical play.

Mummyoflittledragon · 18/03/2018 07:20

Walkingdead
People who can afford to fork out £13 for soft play plus £5 minimum on drinks to get some peace aren’t generally the sort of people struggling to buy an iPad. And if they are, they probably have a smartphone and a preschooler doesn’t need access to either.

NerrSnerr · 18/03/2018 07:28

I wouldn't mind a soft play with iPads but we only use soft play occasionally as our cold weather thing is swimming as i find it less stressful than soft play!

insancerre · 18/03/2018 07:39

Are teachers lamenting the fact that. children are starting school unable to use tech such as iPads?

No, just the opposite
They are reporting that children are starting school unable to hold conversations and lacking the physical development necessary to hold a pencil and write

What are we doing to our children?

OwlinaTree · 18/03/2018 07:43

keep so would it be ok to read the paper or do I have to mindlessly stare? All I'm modelling is that screens have a place when you are filling time. Children might 'time fill' at home when I'm doing the laundery, on a car journey, on an aeroplane. That's not a problem.

If I got my phone out at a time when we've specifically gone to do something for me, that would be modelling 'screens are better'.

stillunconvinced · 18/03/2018 07:46

I do let my two go on McDonald's IPads if they're available. They don't have IPads at home and they're not generally allowed to eat while playing on the PC or PlayStation so I let them on there as a treat.

Mine love the ones in McDs. It's a very occasional treat. We're usually there because it's been a chaotic day and Im shattered.
Doesn't bother me.

Their Dad takes them to McDs for breakfast every Saturday and he sits with them at a table away from the iPads because on those occasions it is a time for them to chat, catch up.

I was surprised to see them at soft play. Maybe for older siblings? But yes, soft play is for energetic play.

magickingdom82 · 18/03/2018 07:47

Dare I ask why you would take your 4 year old to McDonald's in the first place

lovebipolar · 18/03/2018 08:09

@magickingdom82 Dare I ask why you would take your 4 year old to McDonald's in the first place

Please fuck off. It's not like they have said they take them there everyday. As a one off, it is fine.

Steeley113 · 18/03/2018 08:17

@magickingdom82 Hmm because most normal people do occasionally for a treat/speedy meal. Seriously, it’s nuggets and chips not poison.

Veterinari · 18/03/2018 08:23

Its the future Sad

I’ve recently travelled in the USA and Asia where many restaurants have iPad stations at each table
I find it prettty sad

littleducks · 18/03/2018 08:28

Our local McDonald's was refurbished and they removed mini playframe and colouring paper dispenser in favour of ipads and a table with projected lights.

I was really disappointed.

KittenBeast · 18/03/2018 08:32

@macickingdon82 - get fucked, and go give your kids their kale breakfast smoothie and then post about what a good mum you are on Facebook.

NerrSnerr · 18/03/2018 08:34

Dare I ask why you would take your 4 year old to McDonald's in the first place

Because they want to? Heaven forbid a child as an occasional chicken nugget and chips.

SweetMoon · 18/03/2018 08:35

That's just insane. YANBU. the ones in McDonald's are a ridiculous idea too.

If our soft play installed those we'd stop going.

PinkAvocado · 18/03/2018 08:37

I’d find this annoying too. But I get wound up by the Chupa Chups display in the chemist. Of course I say no to my toddler that he cannot have a sugary sweet that he could choke on but I’d rather not have the hassle when they shouldn’t be there in the first place.

MistyMinge · 18/03/2018 08:41

YANBU. I take my kids to soft play to run around, burn off energy and interact with other children. Not to stare at an iPad for the majority of the time. I'd be complaining too. Also, surely they're going to end up broken quite quickly and cause arguments. Stupid idea all round.

KittenBeast · 18/03/2018 08:41

Oh good grief. I can't seem to type for toffee today. I think we know who my post was aimed at, though.

ShiftyMcGifty · 18/03/2018 08:42

“ My just turned 3 year old was to young to understand he was not allowed. You shouldnt have to folloe your child around all the time in soft play anyway.”

Yes, you are at 3. That’s what the supervision signs you’re seeing everywheee mean. Confused

Lethaldrizzle · 18/03/2018 08:43

I think someone needs to spill juice on them!

OneStepSideways · 18/03/2018 08:44

Perhaps some people don't have iPads at home and it's their only chance to use them? Or for older children (who are too old to climb around the softplay for hours) if they're with younger siblings?

I don't see the problem with it really, you can tell them not to use them.

I wish softplay had free wifi and a bar for the grown ups! Maybe with some spa type things like those footbaths that massage your feet!

FlouncyDoves · 18/03/2018 08:50

I deal with the ones in McDonalds by not taking my child into McDonalds.

MrMeSeeks · 18/03/2018 08:50

I think someone needs to spill juice on them!
Yes let’s spoil it for everyone because you don’ t agree with them.

MrMeSeeks · 18/03/2018 08:51

Dare I ask why you would take your 4 year old to McDonald's in the first place
Because it’s a nice treat Confused i

FlouncyDoves · 18/03/2018 08:51

mac don’t worry about all the hate being directed your way, those posters are just pepped up on e-numbers from all the shit food they eat from McDonalds.