Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. Flexible and made to last.

Meet the Other Phone.
Flexible and made to last.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To cancel the new trampoline?

368 replies

ChampagneWorries · 01/03/2021 09:49

Dd 8 has been asking for a trampoline for around 2 years. I’ve always said no due to the injury aspect of them but then i came across springfree trampolines. They claim to have eliminated 90% of the injuries children have on trampolines so i decided that maybe i was being over cautious and i should let her have one.

I also have a ds who is nearly 4 but his head is larger than the proportion of his body and he is 30cm smaller than dd.

I know they will be arguing about the one person at a time thing and i am worried about one of them landing funny and causing a significant injury to themselves (more so ds due to the proportion of his head and body)

I know plenty of children have them with no injuries etc.

I ordered a springfree trampoline last night and then after a few hours i decided it wasn't a good idea and have rang to cancel it this morning.

The lady on the phone wanted to know why i wanted to cancel so i explained about ds and the worry about one of them landing funny and causing a significant injury to themselves.

She said there was alot of misinformation online about trampolines and really did the hard sell!

Am i a kill joy?
Am i being over cautious?

OP posts:
Seeline · 01/03/2021 10:57

My DCs had hours of fun on ours. We had spring padding and a safety net. They were also only allowed to jump, no flips, somersaults etc. Never had an accident.

DS 'fell' off the climbing fame at the school nursery and broke his arm - it was only about 12" from the ground and had the safety surface underneath.

Rainbowroads · 01/03/2021 10:57

You also have to consider that the 'accidents can happen doing anything' argument doesn't really hold much water - where do you draw the line? Would you let them swim in a fast-moving river or climb on top of a roof? Probably not. So you do have to take into account where accidents are more or less likely to happen and make a judgement call based on the risks, and a line has to be drawn somewhere.

BugsAndBeesAndBirdsAndButterfl · 01/03/2021 10:57

Me too woke. Thankfully in real life a lot of our friends who have gardens have one!

Graciebobcat · 01/03/2021 10:57

I'm intrigued to know if the 'Life is for Living!' camp believe they'll feel that way after a child of theirs has an accident, or just before? If one of yours landed awkwardly on the thing, badly broke their arm, needed surgery, had ongoing discomfort from the pins, maybe further surgery and limited movement in that limb long term, would you still be letting them and their siblings use the trampoline or would it be gone? Genuine question!

I'd have been surprised if my kids got through childhood without breaking a bone, really. I did but I think my parents were over-protective. DD2's break was clean, DD1's best friend broke her arm when she was in Y6 roller skating at a school event. It was far worse, needed surgery and a much longer recovery time.

It doesn't have to be on a trampoline but what would worry me more is my children being overweight and not having enough exercise. There are far worse longer term health and life implications than if they use a trampoline sensibly. I don't think parents think about those types of risks enough.

ThatQuietOne · 01/03/2021 10:57

It’s a tough call. My children love ours, it’s been their most played with thing. One of them did, however, break her leg quite badly on it. All fine now and we still have the trampoline, but I’m far stricter on safety (2 small children / one large one at a time etc and always with an adult in the garden for younger children). The accident happened when all 3, of vastly different weights, were bouncing together - the littlest one was injured, and the orthopaedic surgeon explained that the impact of her meeting a trampoline on landing which was springing back up from a child almost 3x her weight jumping on it was like a fall from a first floor window. I felt dreadful - the guidelines are there for a reason.

MagicSummer · 01/03/2021 10:59

Well, your neighbours will be pleased if you cancel it!

TrickyD · 01/03/2021 10:59

When I was in A and E with a broken wrist, the nurse said to me, ‘Our workload would be drastically reduced if trampolines were banned’.

UhtredRagnarson · 01/03/2021 11:00

A trampoline can keep kids out of your hair for a couple of hours, not to mention burn off their energy, and what parent doesn't want that?!

But you’re supposed to supervise them when using it so not really out of your hair as you have to stay there watching them the whole time.

HugeAckmansWife · 01/03/2021 11:01

to the pp who asked would I let my child on it after an accident, yes. Ds broke his arm on monkey bars - he went back on them once it was healed. Kids at school have and see others get awful rugby and sometimes hockey injuries - they still play. My DDs friend broke her thumb playing netball - they still play. What's the alternative? a lifetime of nervous, over-anxious hovering like my ex MIL who raised a son who wasn't allowed to use a proper kitchen knife til he left home and is as practically useful as a chocolate teapot. I understand all the drs not wanting one because they only see the injuries, not the millions of kids who play for billions of hours added togetjer without an issue. Anything CAN happen at any time, but short of willful negligence or stupidity, i think you have to let it.

lemonsquashie · 01/03/2021 11:01

I wouldn't want one in my garden. They're an eye sore

Chewingle · 01/03/2021 11:02

I would honestly kiss the maker of the spring free trampoline

Hands down. By a huge amount. The best purchase I ever made.

Chewingle · 01/03/2021 11:04

* But you’re supposed to supervise them when using it so not really out of your hair as you have to stay there watching them the whole time.*

Oh come off it. Once they are 7 and over (younger or older depending on the child obviously)... absolutely fine not to be in garden with them if it’s a spring free

Myneighboursdomyheadin · 01/03/2021 11:05

are spring-free trampolines safer?
Are hole-in-ground ones safer?

I banned Ds1 from playing on a friend's trampoline because it had no net. So instead he crawled under it and ended up losing a tooth.

Nicolanomore24 · 01/03/2021 11:07

I feel sorry for your children. Are they allowed to have any fun?

MagdasMadHouse · 01/03/2021 11:10

I mean, you can wrap your kids in cotton wool so far, and they grow up to paraglide or get into motorbikes. I would rather teach my children how to make a risk assessment and how to do things properly, than outright ban anything (including paragliding and motorbikes if/when that time comes!)
I am a bit of a risk taker myself though. I'm much more anxious and cautious than I was before, but I will still go on the crazy theme park rides, have a go on the trampoline or have a go at rock climbing.

TheBitchOfTheVicar · 01/03/2021 11:10

I wouldn't have a trampoline - I used to be a coach and know how dangerous they can be. It may be a case of knowing this because I know more about it, and being blissfully ignorant about other dangers, but I'll live with that!

TweetleBeetlesBattle · 01/03/2021 11:11

I have a springfree, and was worried like you about the safety implications. I bought the medium oval which is big enough for two to bounce. It feels much safer than the the ones with springs, you still have to have safe bouncing rules. It was a great purchase, really expensive but great.

UhtredRagnarson · 01/03/2021 11:12

@Chewingle

* But you’re supposed to supervise them when using it so not really out of your hair as you have to stay there watching them the whole time.*

Oh come off it. Once they are 7 and over (younger or older depending on the child obviously)... absolutely fine not to be in garden with them if it’s a spring free

I was being tongue in cheek. I know no one supervises their DC on trampolines.
JohnMiddleNameRedactedSwanson · 01/03/2021 11:12

DD would love one but DS has hypermobility, which is a specific contraindication for trampolines.

Joinedjustforthispost · 01/03/2021 11:13

Your being daft, your poor kids

peak2021 · 01/03/2021 11:15

You could argue that given the numbers of people in hospital and how the NHS is stretched, now is not the time given the possibility of injury, but at a later date it will be OK.

wokeasfuck · 01/03/2021 11:17

@Rainbowroads

You also have to consider that the 'accidents can happen doing anything' argument doesn't really hold much water - where do you draw the line? Would you let them swim in a fast-moving river or climb on top of a roof? Probably not. So you do have to take into account where accidents are more or less likely to happen and make a judgement call based on the risks, and a line has to be drawn somewhere.
Yes they've swam in rivers and yes they've climbed on our roof. Why not? What's so bad about climbing on a roof? We've done white water rapids with them, canyoning etc Neither has ever broken a bone. Two strong girls who are confident in their bodies, strong, fit and capable.
Nenevalleykayaker · 01/03/2021 11:20

Test

VintageStitchers · 01/03/2021 11:21

We have a large trampoline that DS only played in when his friends came round. So 3 or 4 kids on there at a time.

Nowadays it’s mostly used as a large umbrella/sunshade for the chickens. I don’t think DS has played on it during the last two years.
The metal legs and poles are galvanised so they’ve not started rusting yet.

I grew up in the 70’s playing on old bomb sites and on playgrounds with concrete under the climbing frames so I think some parents are far too risk averse and we’re now in the situation of too many anxiety ridden adults and children.

DasPepe · 01/03/2021 11:23

I did trampolining as a sport and have a number of injuries from it - including a crowned tooth and chronic back issues.

Trampolining is a dangerous activity- and you have every reason to have concerns.
And if you have concerns (which are valid) then stand by your decision, because if something were to happen, you would feel incredibly guilty.

Are you able to supervise your children the entire time they are using the trampoline? If no - then I would suggest you stand by your decision.

You have to be happy to accept the risks for your children. Your concerns are valid. I would try and find an alternative activity they could do.