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AIBU?

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Original poster

To expect an outdoor gym to not be used as a playground by children?

668 replies

FrangipaniDeLaSqueegeeMop · 25/04/2021 08:56

Went for a run yesterday and afterwards went into an outdoor gym which is (unfortunately) next to a kids' play park. There are some weights attached to vertical beams, an exercise bike, ropes, cross trainer and markings on the ground for relay runs. Loads of signs saying age 13+ only and children weren't to use it as play equipment.

It was absolutely over run with small kids aged about 4-10 climbing all over it, using the equipment and just generally getting in the way while their parents sat in the play park in clear sight of them doing nothing. When I did manage to use some equipment kids were waiting as if we were taking turns. I'd been on the exercise bike for about 15 minutes with one little girl who was about 6 staring at me...she went to get her mum who actually came and asked if her DD could have a go as she'd been waiting for ages Shock I said no this bike is for adults and they she got all huffy and was all "Never mind darling, the lady won't get off so we'll have to just wait won't we". I was then doing relays on the markings and they were running in front of me nearly knocking into me. I gave up in the end!

Is it really so much to ask that parents tell their children to keep out of adult only areas and stay in the massive park built for children? Want to go again today as it's a great little gym, council spent a small fortune but CBA with all the unsupervised kids.

OP posts:
HeadNorth · 25/04/2021 21:48

Maybe the men with their tops off in the children's play park are just expressing their feelings and questioning the rules Grin. Do you think their parents ever dared to tell them that the world doesn't revolve around them?

Original poster
FrangipaniDeLaSqueegeeMop · 25/04/2021 21:49

@Goldenbear

I can't really take your answers seriously tbh, you seem quite angry about people having a different viewpoint.
😂😂 you mean you can't answer my questions because you know how ridiculous you sound?

Anyway @Goldenbear I thought you were all about challenging viewpoints? Expect when it's yours being challenged, right?

OP posts:
Original poster
FrangipaniDeLaSqueegeeMop · 25/04/2021 21:49

@HeadNorth

Maybe the men with their tops off in the children's play park are just expressing their feelings and questioning the rules Grin. Do you think their parents ever dared to tell them that the world doesn't revolve around them?
Lol. Indeed, very unimaginative to stifle these men's creativity, doncha know
OP posts:
ChardonnaysPetDragon · 25/04/2021 21:50

Blimey, Goldenbear, OP has been nothing but reasonable and polite.

You, on the other hand....

Goldenbear · 25/04/2021 21:55

Not really polite to call people's children brats that you have never met, to resort to little Timmy cliches.

How have i been rude, simply offering a different viewpoint.

HeadNorth · 25/04/2021 21:57

No one called your children brats, just that we strongly suspected them of bratty behaviour as their mother never tells them 'no' - touched a nerve?

Sparklingbrook · 25/04/2021 22:02

Those topless men are absolutely the product of a childhood where the word ‘no’ was never uttered, clearly. Tsk.

Jellybabiesforbreakfast · 25/04/2021 22:03

@0gfhty. The topless men in playgrounds thing is so depressing. It wouldn't matter so much if they were willing to share the space nicely with the children but watching a 25 year old male intimidate two eight year old girls away from using the monkey bars is just depressing. And they put their mats in the middle of the playground and get cross when the kids cycle over them. It's such a shame - we have lovely parents and children at our playground and the kids are so good at taking turns and sharing. It just completely changes the atmosphere. Luckily there are lots of dads who bring their kids to the playground (urban area with lots of SAH/wfh dads) - depressingly they usually manage to see off the topless baboons pretty quickly whereas the mothers are just ignored!

PattyPan · 25/04/2021 22:03

Yanbu, there is an outdoor gym near my work also next to a children’s park and the exact same thing happens. So annoying!

OhToBeASeahorse · 25/04/2021 22:06

I let my toddler climb on the crappy outdoor gym equipment because a) nothing there that could hurt him and b) it's always empty. There isn't an age sign anywhere (though obviously it isn't designed for toddlers).

However if there was an adult there he would be off it quicksmart.

Goldenbear · 25/04/2021 22:08

If a child is exhibiting bratty behaviour, they are behaving like a brat. Don't be disingenuous.

Like I said, my children's easy going nature is always commented on, it's not an issue for me. Unfortunately, some of the worst behaved children I know have parents who are happy to say, 'no' and see them as adversaries. It is sad.

Goldenbear · 25/04/2021 22:11

There isn't a minimum age on the equipment in our park either which is good as we pay some of the highest council tax in the country!

Original poster
FrangipaniDeLaSqueegeeMop · 25/04/2021 22:12

Of course your children would be lovely and laid back and not entitled. That aligns with a childhood of a parent afraid to say no to them WinkGrin

Seriously though why don't you establish boundaries with them? Just because they're curious it doesn't mean they get to have their way all the time. Like I say curiosity needs clear boundaries - the cat learned the hard way.

OP posts:
Original poster
FrangipaniDeLaSqueegeeMop · 25/04/2021 22:14

@Goldenbear

There isn't a minimum age on the equipment in our park either which is good as we pay some of the highest council tax in the country!
So can I barge little kids out the way to get on the seesaw if there's no age limit? I need an outlet for my stifled creativity.
OP posts:
Original poster
FrangipaniDeLaSqueegeeMop · 25/04/2021 22:18

@Sparklingbrook

Those topless men are absolutely the product of a childhood where the word ‘no’ was never uttered, clearly. Tsk.
It's definitely not by accident they're like that. And let's face it it's never the case that they were lovely children who everyone commented on them became pricks as adults. But parents of entitled brats ALWAYS think they're kids are amazing and well behaved. There's girl in my 8yo's class at the moment who's started to make her life a living hell...her mum puts on social media almost every day what a wonderful, sweet, vibrant and inspirational little angel she has. I wonder if she thinks the same when she here's she gave my DD a Chinese burn in the playground.
OP posts:
Original poster
FrangipaniDeLaSqueegeeMop · 25/04/2021 22:18

*hears

OP posts:
Justilou1 · 25/04/2021 22:21

YADNBU - many years ago my dd was on a play date and the nanny let my dd play on some of that equipment with her friend. She ended up with two broken wrists because that kind of equipment is not made for children at all. It really isn’t safe!

Justilou1 · 25/04/2021 22:23

Btw, my DD was 12 at the time, so not a little kid.

Goldenbear · 25/04/2021 22:23

Alternatively, adults like that have no self.esteem and they are trying to prove something as adults. They have not developed empathy as they were not shown any so just told, 'no' frequently or to 'shut up' or to go away or that they are an inconvenience and only a 'kid' so their feelings are not valid in any way.

Goldenbear · 25/04/2021 22:27

The thing is though, you are an adult OP, so don't think people expect adults to have tantrums about play equipment as there level of reasonableness is supposedly developed.

Original poster
FrangipaniDeLaSqueegeeMop · 25/04/2021 22:35

@Goldenbear

Alternatively, adults like that have no self.esteem and they are trying to prove something as adults. They have not developed empathy as they were not shown any so just told, 'no' frequently or to 'shut up' or to go away or that they are an inconvenience and only a 'kid' so their feelings are not valid in any way.
On the contrary, I have heaps of self esteem. I bough self esteem to believe in worthy of using equipment made for people like me and it giving way to a 6yo because she's a child and I'm just a silly old woman doing embarrassing exercises in public. And I was told 'no' constantly as a child.

I teach my children that adults feelings are important as well as theirs. In the vain hope they will grow up to be adults who recognise this and value their own worth. Not that their freedom and feelings should be parked at the door for those younger than they are

OP posts:
Original poster
FrangipaniDeLaSqueegeeMop · 25/04/2021 22:36

@Goldenbear

The thing is though, you are an adult OP, so don't think people expect adults to have tantrums about play equipment as there level of reasonableness is supposedly developed.
Saying "no I won't get off as this is for adults not children" and being slightly peeved is hardly having a tantrum. What strange standards for adults you have.
OP posts:
Goldenbear · 25/04/2021 22:37

The above was in response to your question about whether you can go on children's playground equipment.

Original poster
FrangipaniDeLaSqueegeeMop · 25/04/2021 22:37

But it's for all ages and I want to express my creativity. Why should children have all the fun?

OP posts:
GreenSlide · 25/04/2021 22:39

It's so annoying when kids turn up and stare because they wants a go on something. When they do it to my child at the park I ignore them (as long as he's taking a reasonable about of time on something and not just pissing about) if they then stare at me wanting me to hurry him up I smile at them out of badness Blush I would have stayed on the bike for hours out of spite OP Grin

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