To lie about his age for free admission?

[WaitForCake]

It's DS's 3rd birthday in a couple of weeks. I'm taking him to an attraction.

It's free for under 3s, but adult price at 3 upwards. Money is tight, but after a tough few months between lockdown and his DF moving out after our split, I want to do something nice for him.
As there is no inherent difference in what he'll get from the experience the day before his birthday and on the day of his birthday, WIBU to just buy him a 2 year old ticket?

I can't take him the day earlier due to work (I did consider this already).

YANBU - get the 2 year old ticket
YABU - pay the adult price for him

Thinking about it, the attractions might not be that bothered, providing that you don't take the piss, eg go several times with an overage child and never spend any money while you're there above the cost of the admission.

Because they know that people will be making decisions like the OP, ie they can't go at all if they have to pay adult price for a just 3 YO, the more people that enter, the more likely that money will be spent in gift shops and cafes and the loss of goodwill if people are delayed and hassled at the entrance while they check ID for every child that they suspect falls into a higher cost age bracket.

Actually I think in this climate, when attractions are probably really struggling financially, I would struggle with this.

The only people who think YABU are those who see morals in black and white. If you're a shades-of-grey type person, it's a complete non-issue
You mean those who don't pick and choose to lie to suit your needs.

Maybe next time someone you see someone scratching your car and they lie and say it wasn't them, you'll just smile because they must just be a shades-of-grey type person. Yeah right!

Just go don't say anything, if he blabs just say he's 3 the day after and keeps mixing up the days. You're hardly going to be asked for a birth cert.

I've 5 kids, I have done this MANY times. If there's a huge difference in child and adult prices I always go with the child price. Especially if they look younger.

I can't believe how many are saying its ok do it. If you can't afford to pay his ticket as a 3 year old then don't go.

Let's be honest, everybody does it.
Places who have decided that it's an issue ask for proof of age. I have seen it quite often on the continent, it's rare here so businesses are fully aware most people "cheat" and budget accordingly.

to add: I actually don't cheat on my kids age, because it's easier to know we have access to everything they are entitled to, but I know most people do!

Yanbu I would say he's 2, after all he's only just three. Enjoy the attraction x

The only people who think YABU are those who see morals in black and white. If you're a shades-of-grey type person, it's a complete non-issue.

Not really. I think theft and deception is OK in certain circumstances. A day out that you don't want to pay full price for isn't one of them.

As if a three-year-old having a special treat on their birthday is less important than toeing the line of a business' arbitrary threshold

Yes, it's much more important for a precious 3 year old to have "a special treat" than for the parents to be honest.

DS is tiny (7th percentile) so if I take him somewhere like that and have to pay by age instead of height, he wouldn't be able to access most of the attractions anyway.

Oh God, don't - DS2 is also short, and CBeebies land was awful because all he wanted to do was go on the octonauts ride, but instead he had to stand with his dad (he wouldn't go somewhere else - insisted on staying) and watch me and his older brother on it instead.

I refuse to believe that anyone would pay for him. They just wouldn't. People talk absolute nonsense on this site, it's laughable
Most wouldn't because they would just be clever enough to take their kids the day before.

As said before, I couldn't lie in front of my kids or expect them to lie to get a free day out because the last thing I want is for them to learn that lying to get what you want is acceptable.

what time of day was he born ;)

Pinkyy
I refuse to believe that anyone would pay for him. They just wouldn't. People talk absolute nonsense on this site, it's laughable.

Why? Some people are more honest than others, why can't you believe that some people do follow the rules?

The same way as many people don't bring their own food in soft plays or parks where you are being asked not to and only buy on site. Many do because they don't want to pay extra, but not all.

If you are happy with your decision, why do you need to pretend that everybody is the same?

Yes, it's much more important for a precious 3 year old to have "a special treat" than for the parents to be honest.

Actually, in this circumstance my little boy having a nice day IS more important to me. He's had a really hard time. I've had to pick him up from nursery early twice this week because he's been worried that mummy and daddy have left him there and got really distressed. For the sake of 1 day (and as mentioned, he actually isn't 'officially' 3 until after we leave the attraction) I prioritise him.

Those saying everyone/every mum does it:
Hi, meet me! I'm a mum anf I have never nor would I ever lie abouy my dc's ages for a reduced or free entry here, please now stop tarring us all with your dishonesty.

I do hope everyone saying it's ok isn't a massive hypocrite and doesn't intend to teach their kids that lying is bad.

Glad to see that so many support dishonesty, hopefully her child will not pick up on her cheating ways.

I'd do it I've done it when my kids were smaller even when I've tried to pay full price for them they still gave me it half price

at the responses.

If all of you 'you're a criminal' sayers are so black and white then read the bit where OP says he won't actually turn 3 until he leaves the park.

Why did you ask @WaitForCake?

You're clearly going to do it anyway.

@Scoobyscoobedydoo

at the responses.

If all of you 'you're a criminal' sayers are so black and white then read the bit where OP says he won't actually turn 3 until he leaves the park.

That's not how birthdays work. But if it makes you feel better about it, go for it.

You only need to go on a few parenting forum to know that most people are dishonest.

That, and the people who refuse to pay for their family to have allocated seats on a plane (so you are seating randomly, you still have a seat!) because someone will have to swap with them...

As long as the attractions don't ask for proof of age, it's an invitation for these people to carry on.

Go the day before he turns 3.

Come on now, my parents did this all the time.

“Banana if anyone asks, you’re 8” (9 used to quite frequently be the line between child price / adult price)

Assuming it’s not some kind of attraction where his age has to be identified (for example I can’t remember where but I once went to one of those seaside fun fairs where you could pay as you go or could buy a wrist band to include everything, and these were sold on age - so different colours granted you access to different rides) then it will be fine! No ones going to ask for birth certificate or ID from a little boy! And besides once he’s in, if he says he’s 3 to a random staff member, they’re not going to ask to check his ticket.

How much money are you talking about ?