Page 16 | To expect an outdoor gym to not be used as a playground by children?

FrangipaniDeLaSqueegeeMop · 2021-04-25T07:56:12+00:00

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.

Goldenbear · 25/04/2021 22:42

Adults feelings should not be overlooked but children's feelings should be recognised not just ignored and you should have a greater understanding of someone's understanding has not developed yet. I encourage my older children to appreciate that difference with younger children, they have a tolerance which I certainly think an adult should have.

Goldenbear · 25/04/2021 22:47

The outdoor gym is for all ages, the child equipment is up to 13 I think not that anyone beats an eyelid if on the rare occasion a 14 year old is in the play area. I can't imagine being this stressed about an exercise bike. You told the parent, 'no' why worry about it. Presumably they didn't tackle you off the equipment. Physical violence is unreasonable, asking you a question - not so much

SofiaMichelle · 25/04/2021 22:48

My DC are good at expressing themselves, they have strong emotions about things and I'm not going to stop them from having those feelings...

Oh yes, I'll bet they're good at expressing themselves and their strong emotions. And no, I don't doubt for a minute that you're not going to stop them.

What a treat that must be for everyone.

Goldenbear · 25/04/2021 22:48

Such a petty attitude that seems to bring unhappiness.

Goldenbear · 25/04/2021 22:52

Eh, yes, they do, they are good at articulating their feelings, they don't bottle them up but in all honesty they don't really get het up about much. They wouldn't bat an eyelid if they asked to go on something and they were told, 'no' they would go and find something else to do.

bonbonours · 25/04/2021 22:52

I'm another one who has never seen an adult use this type of equipment for serious exercise and who is not ashamed to say I let my kids play on it (they are not toddlers though and can actually use it properly). Ours has no signs indicating it's for adults though. It is a bit daft to put a gym next to a playground, it would be better to put it in a separate area with a fence round and clear signs saying no kids.

Hardbackwriter · 25/04/2021 22:54

@Goldenbear

Adults feelings should not be overlooked but children's feelings should be recognised not just ignored and you should have a greater understanding of someone's understanding has not developed yet. I encourage my older children to appreciate that difference with younger children, they have a tolerance which I certainly think an adult should have.

The way you're carrying on you'd think OP had told the children to fuck off. Do you not know that you can say no to a child or tell them not to do something in a way that isn't aggressive or that isn't just ignoring them?

Goldenbear · 25/04/2021 22:57

My eldest is 14 and is passionate about certain issues, I wouldn't stop him expressing himself we are not living in the 1890s. We have really interesting discussions. When I don't agree with him, I don't say, 'no' you are a child you need to have boundaries.

Original poster

FrangipaniDeLaSqueegeeMop · 25/04/2021 22:57

@Goldenbear

Adults feelings should not be overlooked but children's feelings should be recognised not just ignored and you should have a greater understanding of someone's understanding has not developed yet. I encourage my older children to appreciate that difference with younger children, they have a tolerance which I certainly think an adult should have.

Why should an adult 'tolerate' a child getting in their way in a space and facilities designed for adults...especially when there are excellent facilities designed for children right next to them? Or are we just blindly tolerating anything random spoilt children want to do now at our own expense?

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FrangipaniDeLaSqueegeeMop · 25/04/2021 22:58

@Goldenbear

The outdoor gym is for all ages, the child equipment is up to 13 I think not that anyone beats an eyelid if on the rare occasion a 14 year old is in the play area. I can't imagine being this stressed about an exercise bike. You told the parent, 'no' why worry about it. Presumably they didn't tackle you off the equipment. Physical violence is unreasonable, asking you a question - not so much

Oh so people can be as big a dick as they like as long as they're not punching me. Right oh

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FrangipaniDeLaSqueegeeMop · 25/04/2021 22:59

@Goldenbear

My eldest is 14 and is passionate about certain issues, I wouldn't stop him expressing himself we are not living in the 1890s. We have really interesting discussions. When I don't agree with him, I don't say, 'no' you are a child you need to have boundaries.

If he asked to do something that was dangerous and not suitable for him what would you say?

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FrangipaniDeLaSqueegeeMop · 25/04/2021 23:00

Lol at thinking telling a child not to use something that's not safe for them and designed for adults is "living in the 1890's" this thread really is the gift that keeps on giving

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Goldenbear · 25/04/2021 23:04

The OP did say, 'no', I did say in previous posts that they asked, the Op said no, there is nowhere else to go with it, what's the big deal? Why is the OP affronted by someone asking them a question. This is what I find bizarre. My youngest would ask politely as they are capable of articulating themselves. They wouldn't bother going via me as they are confident enough to ask. If they were told no they would just go and find something else to do. They literally would not care. I don't see the problem with that.

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FrangipaniDeLaSqueegeeMop · 25/04/2021 23:05

My youngest wouldn't be so rude as to ask an adult to get off something that they shouldn't be going on anyway. And he's super confident, so it's not a confidence issue, it's not being an entitled brat issue

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Goldenbear · 25/04/2021 23:10

The language is so extreme, 'entitled brat' for asking to go an exercise bike. Really?

MarshaBradyo · 25/04/2021 23:13

Actually I’d find the parent response more annoying. Passive aggressive type stuff.

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FrangipaniDeLaSqueegeeMop · 25/04/2021 23:13

Yes - my kids understand not everything is for them. To go up to someone using something that is exclusively for that person, and tell them to get off so they can break the rules and "have a go", is very entitled. I'd be embarrassed if my children did that TBH. But like I say, I've raised them to know what is for them and what isn't, and it's rare they cross that boundary - the poor stifled little poppets

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FrangipaniDeLaSqueegeeMop · 25/04/2021 23:13

@MarshaBradyo I did - and I know it's not the kids fault they haven't been told they shouldn't use these facilities, it's the parents and it's the parents I'm annoyed at

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MarshaBradyo · 25/04/2021 23:15

Yep and ‘lady’ would make me inner rage plus ‘won’t get off’

Might make me cycle faster though ;

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FrangipaniDeLaSqueegeeMop · 25/04/2021 23:17

@MarshaBradyo

Yep and ‘lady’ would make me inner rage plus ‘won’t get off’

Might make me cycle faster though ;

I stayed on for longer to make a point

it came with a price though my legs have been killing me today

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0gfhty · 25/04/2021 23:29

Op reading all my posts makes me think you are judgemental and intolerant and worrys me that you have also said you work with young people. When you have got to the point of staying longer on an exercise bike to annoy a small child - I think that's a red flag that you should move yourself away from working with young people.

Justilou1 · 25/04/2021 23:30

I also agree that kids need to be taught that they are not the sun around which the universe orbits. (Or should I say “son”?) My kids have always understood that limits exist not to punish them, but for their own safety - such as height and weight restrictions on rides at tourist parks, etc. Limits have value, ie - potentially saving their lives or saving them from injury. I would assume that these entitled, twatty, indulgent parents don’t give their little darlings knives to play with....
(I am in Australia - not sure if they are allowed to do this in the UK, so things may be different here - and of course the Covid thing could make it different again....) Often there are personal trainers taking classes in these outdoor gym areas. They are supposed to pay the local council for the benefit of doing so, and the council is supposed to block out use of these gyms. This is usually at peak times, and there are a lot of PT’s being cheeky and not paying for use. Also, as taxpayers, we are all paying for usage anyway, so why do they get to block the bloody things? It’s too hot here to use them when the sun is on them. (At least you don’t have that problem for most of the year!)

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FrangipaniDeLaSqueegeeMop · 25/04/2021 23:32

@0gfhty

Op reading all my posts makes me think you are judgemental and intolerant and worrys me that you have also said you work with young people. When you have got to the point of staying longer on an exercise bike to annoy a small child - I think that's a red flag that you should move yourself away from working with young people.

No thanks, I'm fine where I am.

But you gave me a good laugh that I should quit teaching because I didn't allow a 6yo on a dangerous piece of equipment made for adults. I'll hand in my notice tomorrow thank you random stranger

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trixies · 26/04/2021 00:17

Certain posters remind me of that thread with the buggy and the train and Audacity Baby...

GreenSlide · 26/04/2021 00:28

@0gfhty

Op reading all my posts makes me think you are judgemental and intolerant and worrys me that you have also said you work with young people. When you have got to the point of staying longer on an exercise bike to annoy a small child - I think that's a red flag that you should move yourself away from working with young people.

Well she also wanted to piss off the mum to be fair

@Goldenbear sounds like one of those mums who refuses to scold her children and coos 'gentle hands' at them and conveniently doesn't notice when they're whacking their friends with a massive stick every time her backs turned.