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

[FrangipaniDeLaSqueegeeMop]

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 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.

We have one of these near our kids park. I’ve let me kids on it before but only when there is no one else around (one is 13 but one is a couple of years younger). If an adult came to the gym equipment I would smile nod and usher my children to the kids park or green because it is there for use as a gym by adults/teenagers.

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".

This is parenting at it’s worst! I’m glad you continued with your workout and didn’t pander to them. Didn’t they know there was a park for children near?

I've never commented on a thread before but I just had to for yours. I am so, so very much with you on this. I really don't understand why some parents struggle to tell their children no and expect everyone else's lives to revolve around their children too. I am staggered by the number of people telling you you're unreasonable, it baffles me. Go you!

Definitely not the unreasonable one. All posts on here defending those children probably would be one of the annoying parents just allowing their kiddos to play where they shouldn’t and who would be moaning the loudest if little one got hurt on equipment THEY WASNT SUPPOSED TO BE ON? 🙈 can’t fathom the mindset of some of the posts on here.

YABU
They are at school all day - let them explore the equipment and develop healthy habits.

@SayingNOiseasy

I've never commented on a thread before but I just had to for yours. I am so, so very much with you on this. I really don't understand why some parents struggle to tell their children no and expect everyone else's lives to revolve around their children too. I am staggered by the number of people telling you you're unreasonable, it baffles me. Go you!

Completely agree. It's baffling ... yet also not as I see the results of such parenting every day in an increasingly high number of very entitled students.

I'd tell the kids to go away. Excuse me little girl, you're not allowed in this area. Go back to mother please

@Toomuchtrouble4me

YABU They are at school all day - let them explore the equipment and develop healthy habits.

I’m at work all day. How is this relevant?

I have never seen an adult using either of the outdoor gyms near me, even when there are no children in the area. Kids who go there a lot probably think of the area as part of the playground.

@Localocal

I have never seen an adult using either of the outdoor gyms near me, even when there are no children in the area. Kids who go there a lot probably think of the area as part of the playground.

That's not the problem though. The problem is the parent encouraging the child to use equipment that's not for them by asking OP if they (the child) can have a go and that parent going off in a flounce when the child is told no.

YANBU.

Bad parenting

@Blankspace101

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".

This is parenting at it’s worst! I’m glad you continued with your workout and didn’t pander to them. Didn’t they know there was a park for children near?

You couldn't miss it!

Pleased someone agrees with me - apparently I'm grinchy, hate children and selfishly didn't consider this mum might be stressed by saying no

@Toomuchtrouble4me

YABU They are at school all day - let them explore the equipment and develop healthy habits.

Why can't they do that in the park that's made for them? Do you really think a 6yo is getting a good workout on a bike where she can't even reach the pedals!

Kids who go there a lot probably think of the area as part of the playground

Which is why it's up to the parents to tell them it's not for them. Not sit and shrug and say "What can you do?"

This thread has been...enlightening.

My favourite post was probably the one telling me I need to quit teaching because I wouldn't let a 6yo on a piece of equipment that exclusively excludes them for safety reasons 🤣🤣

@FrangipaniDeLaSqueegeeMop

This thread has been...enlightening.

My favourite post was probably the one telling me I need to quit teaching because I wouldn't let a 6yo on a piece of equipment that exclusively excludes them for safety reasons 🤣🤣

I have been at work all day , just about to look at today’s offerings as to how you are a terrible person.

@Goldenbear

Well no, I wouldn't 'scold' my children as we are no longer living in the 1970s!

What you literally never tell them they did something naughty and shouldn't do it again? Because it's too old fashioned to do that?

@Sparklingbrook

Don't forget me saying "No this is for adults" is HISSING 😂😂 I did LOL picturing myself hissing like the snake from Robin Hood.

Anyway I actually went to the outdoor gym after the school run and took the kids this time - they played in the park while I exercised. My little darlings, Tarquinius and Tabithalina, cheered and applauded as I did some impressive weight lifting, politely skipped about tending to the feelings of the toddlers and honed their curiosity by poking pensioners in the eye.

Not really. They played like feral children and told me they could see my bum when I did squats 🙄 they managed to stay in their own little park though and there were only a couple of toddlers climbing on things they shouldn't as mummy clapped but it was MUCH quieter than Saturday.

@FrangipaniDeLaSqueegeeMop

This thread has been...enlightening.

My favourite post was probably the one telling me I need to quit teaching because I wouldn't let a 6yo on a piece of equipment that exclusively excludes them for safety reasons 🤣🤣

You sound awful OP

Some of the posters on here are embarrassing

I'm imagining them sitting proudly looking on while their little angels "express themselves". The ones who "gently" tell their children. To cease whatever destruction they're wreaking

You know, the ones school staff and most normal parents steer well clear of

It's the sheer arrogance of some posters that completely staggers me - expecting the rest of the world to adjust their behaviour, stop doing things they enjoy and be second class to a strangers, all so they can carry out your speshul parenting style. I could never imagine being so unbelievably self centered.

@FrangipaniDeLaSqueegeeMop

This thread has been...enlightening.

My favourite post was probably the one telling me I need to quit teaching because I wouldn't let a 6yo on a piece of equipment that exclusively excludes them for safety reasons 🤣🤣

That wasn't what I said. Unless you're referring to another poster? It was the fact that you deliberately stayed on longer on an exercise bike to make a point to a child when in fact you wanted to get off. That seems very odd behaviour from someone who works with young people. Actually from your more recent posts you seem quite bitter towards children and parents. You come across as sarcastic and judgemental in your posts using soundbytes like "little Jimmy"and constantly referring to entitled parents. I guess you really hate working with all these people?

And you also made a reference to my post being from a random person on the internet. You're whole thread exists for the sake of random people on the internet communicating

@0gfhty

And you also made a reference to my post being from a random person on the internet. You're whole thread exists for the sake of random people on the internet communicating

So shit, Sherlock. I don't presume to tell people they shouldn't be in the job they're in based off one thread though

It was the fact that you deliberately stayed on longer on an exercise bike to make a point to a child when in fact you wanted to get off.

So what - I was the ONLY person there who was allowed to use the equipment, why shouldn't I stay on?

That seems very odd behaviour from someone who works with young people.

Ugh you're one of those people who think yea hers should adore all children and their parents aren't you?

You come across as sarcastic and judgemental in your posts using soundbytes like "little Jimmy"and constantly referring to entitled parents. I guess you really hate working with all these people?

Sorry Miss, didn't realise I had to be serious. Heaven forbid I try and lighten the mood.

I hate working 'with' entitled arse hole parents who genuinely say things like "he's just expressing his feelings" when their child decides to thump someone who's in their way or who say "boys will be boys" when their son ping a girl's bra strap or asks in for t of the whole class if she wants "fucked in the arse". These people exist, they're the type to tell their children "rules are meant to be broken" and they think I'm some awful woman who hates all children because Ive dared to pull their behaviour up and suggested setting some boundaries. they were probably the type who ten years ago thought the silly lady should get off the equipment so their little Diddums could "have a go" despite it not being a facility for them.

I have a feeling I'm hitting a nerve with some posters here 🤷‍♀️