To think this is a bit rude?

[Seraphimofthewilderness]

When at the park or any other place where there is equipment to use, why do some people let their kids try to intimidate other kids to get a 'turn'? This happened the other day. My DS (two) got on a small roundabout thing. The moment we did, I had two ten year olds almost on top of it, staring and waiting their 'turn'. Plenty of other stuff to use. I've noticed the odd family doing it at other place too. Not many, most have the grace to go and use something else and not try to get others to get off stuff by making them uncomfortable.

Have decided to ignore this behaviour.

Do people have no sense of themselves?

And no, we aren't hogging stuff. As I said, we'd just got on the bloody roundabout when they started. DS almost kicked them they were standing so close.

It's a bit odd in a totally empty park as they could easily have just jumped on whenever your DS was finished - no one else was there to jump on before them.

I don't see anything wrong with it in general though. They aren't demanding you get off now, they're just saying "me next,".

Kids waited quietly for their turn. Sounds really rough where you live.

Oh those terrifying intimidating 10 yr olds! One day yours will be 10 too. But of course non intimidating

Interesting that lots of people are assuming they were boys.

I've answered all the questions about size of roundabout etc.

I suppose when any of you go to the gym, you would do the same? Even in an othewise empty gym. If you get on the bus and there is only one other person on, you'd all go and sit next to them? I doubt it.

It's really not uncommon for people to wait for equipment in the gym.

They want to use that particular equipment, so they wait for it. It's really not that strange.

Not when the rest of the gym is free it isn't. You'd go and use something else.

But, what if they don't want to use something else?

It's just a difference of opinion. You see all the equipment as the same, so you can use something else while you are waiting. Other people want to use a specific piece of equipment, so they wait. It's really not a big deal either way.

You were rude not to stop the roundabout and let them on. You could've got off yourself if there wasn't room for four.

If you get on the bus and there is only one other person on, you'd all go and sit next to them?

To be fair there are people like that. I had one; row of 20 treadmills, I am using the end one, someone came and used the one right next to me. Don't know what's wrong with these idiots.

It was a two person roundabout- as stated above and my two year old would fall off without me to hold him.

It helps if you read the OP subsequent posts, @WindsweptEgret

It's normal for children to play on equipment together. My DS loved playing on those big circular swings and other equipment like roundabouts designed for multiple children to use together from when he was two. He played with children of all ages from about 2 to 10.

OP, next time just chat to them! 10 year olds probably look really big to you, but they are just little kids still really.

Why not say: "My 2-year-old loves the roundabout, and I bet that's kind of annoying for you older kids! I will get him get off in 5 minutes so you can have a turn, but why not go play on something else meanwhile?" If you are friendly and nice to them, they might surprise you by how nice they can be too.

They might have been being a bit obnoxious, but you can treat them in an open and nice way, and add to their experience of people of different ages being potential friends and allies.

It was a two person roundabout- as stated above and my two year old would fall off without me to hold him. Sounds like he was a bit young for the equipment then. I would have given him a short turn then moved on and let the other children have their turn.

. Sounds like he was a bit young for the equipment then.

Nope, sorry.

I still think their parents should've said something. I would've done.

If my son is being rude- and he is just learning- I intervene. Interesting that people don't think that's true for the older children and yes, their parents were sitting there watching all this. Wierd family in general.

You said 'him' in an earlier post, referring to the other kids.

I'd say next time just use your words, they really don't sound that bad from what you've described.

When my DC were little I often noticed if we were waiting for a turn in something 9/10 another parent would shove their DC onto the equipment/ride despite seeing us there
We once went to play on a zip wire that was busy but all the kids waited in a line (zip wire is only thing in the green space). DC on it didn’t want to get off and their mother wasn’t saying ‘let other kids have a turn’ and when it got to be my DC turn the mother behind said to her DC ‘quick run in front!’ and they grabbed it from my DD2 who was about to get on
I said to her ‘are you joking?’ And she refused to answer me
It is not a surprise kids are so rude when they have such rude parents

I don’t see how waiting to use equipment is intimidating or rude at all. Of course people have to do it to get a turn on popular equipment.

I actually know what OP is talking about, it isn't just standing in turn waiting. It's as soon as someone sees someone using something they suddenly immediately want it and will stand making them uncomfortable, hovering round the equipment. I've seen it in kids and in adults at the gym. I've had it done to me as an adult and as a kid.

I honk I’ve heard it all now. Is this a British thing? Not only do you you wait your turn, but you try to spare the possible discomfort of the person doing whatever it is you are waiting for by pretending you aren’t waiting for it at all? Even aged ten?

I THINK.

I've only ever had parents do it lol. They bring their kid over and stand right next to the swing, making a big point of saying "we just need to wait our turn..". But meh. Kids need to learn to take turns. It's really no big deal:)

As an adult, why don't people TALK to the kids who are waiting?
In a friendly way?
Not telling them off, just pointing out that it will take a few minutes, that you will give them a turn in a little while, that they are sitting a bit too close, etc.

As an adult, why don't people TALK to the kids who are waiting?
In a friendly way

Because then you risk a mouthful of abuse from the parents.

If they had done this repeatedly it would have been rude and intimidating. But doing it once is just waiting for a turn.

Standing politely/ intimidating you aside please don't presume the kids ages.

My ds is 7 almost 8 and is very tall for his age he wears size 4 shoes and is in age 10 to 11 sometimes 12 clothes. He may look older but he's not and he sometimes gets funny looks because of the things hes chosen to play on etc

One person at the library once decided to tell me she thought the older chapter books would be more his thing when he was sitting looking through the box of books such as The Gruffalo and Giraffes Can't dance etc he was only just 6! She judged him on his size