To not want a trampoline

[Teabaseddiet]

We have a fairly small garden. If we bought a trampoline of a size that both kids would use together (because they seem incapable of taking in turns) it would cover most of the grass and we'd have to get rid of our washing line.

I know it's good exercise for them - especially as we can't go out - but it would be an eyesore and ruin the garden/outdoor space.

AIBU and a crap parent?

Friend who works in A&E said her one piece of parenting advice ‘never ever get a trampoline’.

I imagine a&e staff see as many footballing injuries as trampolining ones. And rugby ones worse too I imagine.
Trampolines are seen as a lower class thing in my opinion. I know of course they can be dangerous but so many things can be as well that don't have such a bad press!

First rule of trampolines is 1 at a time

2nd rule should be "only allowed at homes that are at least 100 yards of any other home".

The noise they make is dreadful. My blood pressure's shot up just thinking of the summer that the neighbours 5 doors down had one ...

The big ones are NOT supposed to be used by children under the age of 6 years.
Only ONE child is allowed on at a time, this is the manufacturers instructions. Most parents will purchase a net as unfortunately not all trampolines have one.
Other manufacturers instructions include
Constant supervision so not leaving a child on there while you go for a wee/drink.
Not allowing child to do handstands, somersaults.

We have one and the kids absolutely love it. I wouldn't have bought it though if it took up the whole garden.

Don’t do it!
My friends kid didn’t zip the netting up fully. When she was jumping she fell out and off the trampoline onto the ground.
She fractured her eye socket and had a massive bleed behind her eye. How she didn’t lose she sight or worse is a miracle.

Buying a trampoline has been one of my best garden investments.

We've had it for a good few years. The kids use it quite a bit and are quite sensible . We have the safety net too.

The children did get achy when they first started using the trampoline but quickly got used to it.

It is a decent size trampoline and I will admit they go on more than one at a time but are careful not to knock into each other or the sides.

We have bought a large trampoline. We chose a springfree one. Very expensive but considered to be the safest trampoline. You can still fall off of you don't zip it up and land incorrectly but as it doesn't have springs it takes away the main source of injuries.
The place we bought if from said it's the only one that the doctors who come there will buy.

We love our trampoline, it's an oval and has a hoop attached to it. We have invented the game of trampoline football

It's this one www.wickentoys.co.uk/trampolines/springfree-trampoline.html

Ghastly things, and a pain in the butt for neighbours who have to listen to the noise of screaming children- and yes they seem to have to scream.

Shall we ban skiing too

@JellyBellies I assume if it's zipped up, then you can't fall off it? I've been considering a Springfree trampoline too because the other types terrify me.

We have one and it is used everyday, pretty much year round. Even in the snow this year. We have a net around it & my 4 are always out there its been a godsend. 1 at a time, where's the fun in that. 3 of mine are older, the favorite game is for 3 of them in a circle 1 in the middle trying to get up while the others bouce them.

We used to have a 14ft trampoline in the garden at our old house but had to sell it when we moved to a new build, as the garden was too small. We have an 8ft one now for DS3 as he has ASD/ADHD and it helps him burn off his excess energy and anxiety. He will use it whenever the weather is dry.

@coconutpie, that's right! The net is built in, and is really safe, you can't fall off. I couldn't fall off if I tried.

We love ours and specifically bought it because of our accident prone younger son. If it was possible to get hurt, he would!

Our favourite games are trampoline football where 2 ppl play football on the trampoline, basketball where one person tries to shoot while the other person tries to catch the ball, and dodge ball, again 2 ppl

Definitely no screaming here. But I've never allowed screaming cos I hate the noise and I'm v conscious that none of my neighbours have little kids.

I never wanted one although my girls have been pestering me for years.

Just after lockdown I managed to get a second hand one, 10ft with safety netting etc, (takes up most of our lawn), it's in excellent condition and has kept my 2 girls busy and occupied for the last 2 weeks, they use it daily for hours, had a picnic in it today with their dolls, ours is not noisy, they don't scream and I've found it a godsend.

@Strawberrypancakes I'm with you there , you are not alone. We have had many trampolines over the last 14 years 4dc and never one accident. My ds6 loves it and it's great for sunbathing on !