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AIBU?

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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:
TeddybearBaby · 07/10/2018 17:30

Omg what a busybody. Bet she’s a lot of fun to be around 😂. Jeez get a life.

Budgieinaberet · 07/10/2018 17:32

I'm a lot older than pastapesto and I still play on the swings

KickAssAngel · 07/10/2018 17:32

If the equipment's big/strong enough for him, then he should be playing on it.

There's a lot worse things he could be doing at 14 - keep him playing.

Saltypeanuts · 07/10/2018 17:32

PorkFlute - whenever I see your user name I think of pork sword - does this make me a bad person?

Aeroflotgirl · 07/10/2018 17:35

No absolutely not too old, providing he wasen't in the under 7s area. I have had a little go on the swings when we are the only one in the park, and I have seen another dad, to the monkey bars

Aeroflotgirl · 07/10/2018 17:35

My tall nephew, is 11, but could easily pass for 14/15 years.

AllTakenSoRubbishUsername · 07/10/2018 17:36

I think it's really sad that there is a low upper age limit on some play grounds. So people probably assume all playgrounds are off limits for over 12's. My big son is 10 but in age 13 clothes so always looks huge. There should be suitable equipment for older teens and adults in my opinion but sadly there aren't :-(

Kezzasmeds · 07/10/2018 17:36

There’s very little for kids that age to do! Absolutely he’s fine to use it. Nice for him to be swinging on ropes and climbing rather that in front of a screen!!

glintandglide · 07/10/2018 17:37

It was just a precocious annoying kid. I wouldn’t give them a second thought

ZigZagIntoTheBlue · 07/10/2018 17:37

If he's actually playing then absolutely not too old - though many that age I've seen in playgrounds are hanging in groups swearing and leaving rubbish! The other mother was being unreasonable to judge before he actually did anything wrong though!!

zzzzz · 07/10/2018 17:37

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Kezzasmeds · 07/10/2018 17:38

In my local park there’s adult size exercise equipment. It annoys me when preschoolers are on it, making it difficult for teens/ adults to use it!

Ginkypig · 07/10/2018 17:38

The only thing I'd say is at 14 he is old enough to make sure that he is being fair to the the younger children playing and not making them feel uncomfortable but as long as he is then why shouldn't he be allowed to play too!

bigKiteFlying · 07/10/2018 17:39

YANBU

This age had age restrictions which was a surprised to us - when we first got here my children fitted them we went to supposedly the best park a sad thing with very basic equipment.

Left them playing to find other parents with children well below age range were telling them to get off - in case they caused problems to their children. Had to hoover next to for parents to stop it.

Where my IL live and where we used to live have fantastic play areas in parks and it’s common to see teenagers playing there often with younger children who are just there, like my children.

We now have to travel to nearby town or city for decent parks and my 13-year-old will still play in them where she can.

greendale17 · 07/10/2018 17:39

I stopped playing in playgrounds before I was 14. I think it is a bit odd

PomPomBears2 · 07/10/2018 17:41

Well at that age I was drinking cider in the woods in the park!! Not hanging about on the swings and slides !! I know which I'd rather my boys were doing though! And it definitely doesn't involve following in their mums footsteps!!

zzzzz · 07/10/2018 17:41

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

NotUmbongoUnchained · 07/10/2018 17:42

Bit odd.

Sirzy · 07/10/2018 17:42

Before now when out running we may have stopped to have a play on a playground! Only when there aren’t children in there obviously

Gileswithachainsaw · 07/10/2018 17:43

Most say they are for up to age 12 don't they?

I would say he's probably a bit old and six foot teens shouting swearing and using the park as a venue for gathering as opposed to using the equipment can be very off putting for the younger ones.

Not saying your son is doing this obviously.

Simple answer is look at the sign on the gate. If he's within the boundries he's fine

youarenotkiddingme · 07/10/2018 17:46

How lovely that your ds still likes to play. Much healthier than sitting staring at a screen.

My ds is 14 and often plays on big wooden climbing equipment when we go out with my nephew who's 6!
I'd have something to say to any kid that felt they could comment or any parent. As long as everyone is being well behaved then age is irrelevant.

And the size thing is a red herring. My ds has grown now (not overly tall though) but there is girls who have been his height since they were 11!

feelingdizzy · 07/10/2018 17:46

My 14 year old would love a playground for teens,but at 6ft3 I think his days in the kids playground are well and truly over.

PlatypusPie · 07/10/2018 17:47

There are signs up in our local park playgrounds saying up to 12,but that is to try to discourage the groups of older teens hanging about.

OddBoots · 07/10/2018 17:47

If there is no age restriction then why not, it is good for teens to be active too.

It is such a shame there is such social pressure against it and the odd idea that children become horrible when they become teens and the way they get pushed into being the bad guys by attitudes like the one given to the OP.

UserHistory · 07/10/2018 17:47

I’ll also go against the grain and say it’s a child protection issue to have children older than allowed in a child’s playground.

There are rules there to protect everyone including your Ds.

What if some child got hurt by him. Climbed below him and your Ds didn’t see him and stood on him, etc. a boy of 14 is much bigger than a little child of 8.

Also there is the issue of a young lad unaccompanied by an adult. Hanging out in playgrounds when you’re too old for the equipment could be interpreted as predatory behaviour.

FWIW I always asked the teens to leave the playground for their own protection as well as the smaller children.

Sorry but I think you are being unreasonable to think everyone loves your 14 year old young man as you do.

Some mothers just want their kids to be able to play in the kids playground without possibly predatory males coming over and befriending (grooming?) them.
Now, I’m NOT saying your Ds is engaging in sexually damaging behaviour, but that other mother didn’t know that, did she? How could she?

Time to get a new outlet up for your ds’ energy.. try sports with similarly aged (ie post puberty) peers.
His time in children’s playgrounds is over.
You know it’s best for everyone.