Soft play (part rant part aibu)

[meow1989]

(Disclaimer; I know mumsnet in general hates soft play).

So many times I've been when theres been older children in the under 4 section and today I arrived with some friends and our babies (12-18 months) and we walked in then straight out again. There were loads of kids (totally expected, it's the summer holidays) but especially in the under 4 area - children who looked to be about 9 or 10 climbing up the slides, jumping off things and climbing the boundary netting as well as chucking things about. Their parents were sitting ignoring them. Sometimes parents arent ignoring them but aren't getting them to play in the other sections even when children barrel past toddlers.

Apparently today people had already been told by staff not to let their older kids play in the baby/toddler bit. I appreciate that staff could be more enforcing.

The soft play we go to has a great bigger kids bit, its clean and spacious and there's no reason for this. It's not always that the older children are misbehaving but simply the fact that they're much bigger than the little ones toddling around means it's dangerous.

It's not a one off though it's generally not as much of of an issue on a less busy day.

Aibu to think it's just rude to spoil it for others and not make sure your kids follow the rules?

It is entitled, shitty behaviour. Yanbu.

It's a bit crap and I'm always keeping an eye on mine to make sure they don't stray in to the baby bit at soft play (to be honest, they prefer their age appropriate areas as it's more fun). But. I would say that if you just have the one child of pre school age I would avoid soft play like the plague during school holidays. You can have the run of the place during term time but I think have to expect disruption in the holidays.

I have no qualms kicking out bigger kids when toddlers are about

I did it once after a group of older kids (10-12 years) went flying through the under 4 section, sent my toddler tumbling and then laughed as he cried.

My dh told me to stop as it wasn’t my place but I did it anyway.

And again when some tried to return

They have the entire section of soft play. Get the fuck out of the under 4

Just tell them repeatedly. I do.
This is for little ones you need to. Go over there.
Mind you my little ones going through a biting phase so you ha e to watch him closely anyway!