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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To think a 14 year old can play in a playground?

148 replies

RedSkyLastNight · 07/10/2018 17:03

Whilst out today, we passed an adventure playground and DS (aged 14) decided to climb up some of the tall climbing structures and hang off the ropes. He was not in any other child's way.

A small child (aged about 5 or 6) came up to him, asked how old he was and then said "My Mummy says you're too old to play in the playground". DS said "well I'm not", and carried on doing his own thing".

DS was luckily oblivious, (my hackles did rise against the unknown parent), but was he BU? There was a sign up indicating that one area of the playground was only for children up to age 7, but no signs anywhere else suggesting acceptable age (and DS was no where near the under 7s bit).

Would you consider a 14 year old (playing considerately in respect of other playground users) to be too old to play in a playground?

OP posts:
TulipsInBloom1 · 07/10/2018 17:04

Course not.

SweepTheHalls · 07/10/2018 17:04

Not at all! I'd be pleased to see an older child still being active and enjoying it.

Saltypeanuts · 07/10/2018 17:04

He has every right to be there YANBU -

BitOutOfPractice · 07/10/2018 17:05

Of course he's not too old.

Knittedfairies · 07/10/2018 17:05

If there are no signs displayed to say he’s too old, he’s fine to use the equipment.

Hopoindown31 · 07/10/2018 17:05

Depends on the rules of the particular playground. I've seen some that say they are for 12 and under for example.

Passmethecrisps · 07/10/2018 17:07

Absolutely ridiculous to suggest he is too old. I get more irritated at children who are obviously too young for the equipment being allowed all over it while the anxious parents shoot daggers at any other child who wishes to use it.

BrokenWing · 07/10/2018 17:07

As long as the playground didn't have a sign such as under 8 only, and the older kids are respectful and careful around the younger ones there is no reason at all why he shouldnt be there.

bigbluebus · 07/10/2018 17:09

If there are no signs with an age restriction then it's fine. Our local playground (which is very small) says the equipment is suitable for under 12's only. The big park in a large nearby town has the sorts of equipment which would clearly take a fully grown teenager so no such age restricition.

BookMeOnTheSudExpress · 07/10/2018 17:10

As others have said, as long as he isn't causing the smaller ones any problems, then of course YANBU.
Very often you do find groups of teens messing around on the playground equipment and not moving to let the smaller ones on, but that was obviously not the case here.

riversideapartment · 07/10/2018 17:10

There are signs in one of our local playgrounds that say the equipment is for under 7s (meaning the entire thing). If your park doesn’t have that then it’s just her opinion and what a shame she thinks older children shouldn’t play there also. Her son will be that age one day.

DowntonCrabby · 07/10/2018 17:12

Of course he’s fine to be there!
We have a big age gap- DD is almost 14 and DS is 5.
DD lasts about 5 minutes sitting on a bench pretending to be too old and cool to play before she’s on a basket swing asking to be pushed!!

ElainaElephant · 07/10/2018 17:12

How was your DS oblivious, when the comment was directed at him?

cholka · 07/10/2018 17:13

Slightly depends on the physical form of the 14 year old really. If he has the body of a man I’d say it’s a bit inappropriate and a gym or adult equipment would be better.

Thisreallyisafarce · 07/10/2018 17:15

I think he's a bit old for it, myself.

riversideapartment · 07/10/2018 17:15

ElainaElephant I presumed the OP meant oblivious to the fact that being told he was “too old” meant he was immature... A slur rather than just a fact.

Original poster
RedSkyLastNight · 07/10/2018 17:15

I meant he was oblivious that the comment was clearly a not so subtle hint (from mother relayed by son) that he should stop playing.

OP posts:
pastapestoparmesan · 07/10/2018 17:17

I’m 44 and I play in playgrounds sometimes. Who cares?

SpoonBlender · 07/10/2018 17:20

Our local has a sign "14 and under", though most of the play kit is for kids under 4ft tall.

NoooorthonerMum · 07/10/2018 17:22

No. Especially an adventure playground. It's kind of annoying when groups of teenagers congregate at the top of the slide in the playground clearly designed for little kids, but even in the "under 12's" playground if a 14 year old was just in no-one's way having fun - why not?

user187656748 · 07/10/2018 17:23

DS1 would probably still have a bit of a climb and he's almost 14. And we're off to disney in a few weeks and he assure me he isn't too old. Completely fine IMO

ElainaElephant · 07/10/2018 17:23

@riversideapartment I prefer not to make assumptions and ask the question when things aren't clear. And the fact that the answer wasn't what you thought shows it wasn't obvious.

PorkFlute · 07/10/2018 17:27

If your son looks a lot older than 14 maybe the mum thought he was an adult and was a bit wary of why he was there alone or just with another adult.
It did used to annoy me when teens used to take up all the swings in the local park by just sitting on them and chatting and not even swinging when mine were little I must admit. But I wouldn’t have had an issue if they were playing.

GreenLantern53 · 07/10/2018 17:30

going against the grain but i hate teenagers in the park/playgroud. I live next to a secondary school and cant even take my kids to the park after school as its full of teenagers! they hog all the swings and roundabout and I think they are far too old to be playing in a kids park.

Howhot · 07/10/2018 17:30

A lone 14 year old on a play area aimed at under 7? Well yes he's a bit old but I wouldn't be bothered. A group of 14 year olds would be inappropriate.