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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

AIBU to decline this invitation?

27 replies

moonling · 20/06/2021 17:47

AIBU to decline a birthday invitation to a large soft play centre?
YANBU - they’re a massive cess pit at the best of times, you’ve not had both jabs yet and covid numbers are rising.
YABU - The kids will love it. Crack on with it.

OP posts:
MisgenderedSwan · 20/06/2021 17:49

Decline if you don't want to go. I hate soft play and when my ds announced age 4 that they were for babies I happily agreed and have never been back 🤣

GreyhoundG1rl · 20/06/2021 17:51

God, if you don't want to go, just don't go. You don't need randoms voting on the issue 😂

BackforGood · 20/06/2021 17:52

More information needed.

Is it for you ?
Or for a child ?
Is it a mass 'whole class' thing or have you (or your child) been invited as a close friend ?

Over the years, I've taken dc to things that they will enjoy that I wouldn't. It might fall into that category.

Leftphalange · 20/06/2021 17:53

Can I go in your place?! Up here in Scotland we haven't had soft plays open for over a year and my kids are desperate!

In all seriousness, personally I would go, but of course decline the invite if you don't feel comfortable

Original poster
moonling · 20/06/2021 17:54

@GreyhoundG1rl
Just wondering if other people see it as a bit risky. Thanks for the feedback though. Noted. 👍🏻

OP posts:
AnneLovesGilbert · 20/06/2021 17:57

Vile hell holes of revolting germs. DSC used to love them so I went a few times but DD doesn’t even know the exist. That’ll stay the same as long as possible.

Original poster
moonling · 20/06/2021 17:57

It’s for a children. Quite a big centre with party group plus public. Planned for the week restrictions due to ease. Just wondering if I’m being a covid basket case as would prefer not to upset the host / child by declining. I’d be happy to go if I’d had both jabs by then.

OP posts:
BirthdayCakeBelly · 20/06/2021 17:59

We tried a small and local soft play. There was a kid there with a cough. It could only be described as ‘persistent’. It was, in fact, the most persistent cough I’ve ever heard.

I honestly didn’t know what to do. Leave? Ask the parent whether the kid has had a test? They could easily lie anyway. Maybe the kid had a health condition.

We stayed but I felt massively uncomfortable the entire time and haven’t been back.

Notaroadrunner · 20/06/2021 18:00

YANBU if you don't feel comfortable being in a crowded indoor space, jab or no jab. No need to give excuses if you decline - just say 'X won't be able to attend the party but thank you for the invitation'. No card or gift required if child doesn't go so you're saving money too Grin

GertrudePerkinsPaperyThing · 20/06/2021 18:01

I would go as I think the kids have missed out on so much.

But it’s a judgment call for each person, no right or wrong answer.

I’m double jabbed but kids obviously not.

Disneyforever1974 · 20/06/2021 18:02

I think we need to start living our lives as normally as possibly within the guidelines. COVID is never going to go away completely so I would let the children go if they want to. Do you have to stay can you dump and run?

Aquamarine1029 · 20/06/2021 18:04

Soft play places are disgusting without Covid. YANBU. If you aren't comfortable with it, don't go.

Spied · 20/06/2021 18:05

Any other type of party in any other venue then I'd be ok with that.
An indoor soft-play with spluttering, sweaty, nose-picking kids rolling around lickingtouching the equipment- NO.

PurpleyBlue · 20/06/2021 18:08

Up to you

Beautiful3 · 20/06/2021 18:10

We've just received a party invitation to one of these things. I think they're disgusting, my friend once found a whole toe nail in one (while searching for her child's missing sock!) I'm declining it.

khakiandcoral · 20/06/2021 18:14

Depends

If your kids are in a public setting (school, nursery) during the week, it doesn't really make a difference anyway. You might as well go.

If they are at home or with a childminder, you can be a bit more cautious.

MY worry would be that one of mine catches something and starts coughing, so needs a test and to isolate until they are accepted back at school!

khakiandcoral · 20/06/2021 18:14

@Disneyforever1974

I think we need to start living our lives as normally as possibly within the guidelines. COVID is never going to go away completely so I would let the children go if they want to. Do you have to stay can you dump and run?
how many do you want to dump the kids for though? They'll have to come back and live with you at some point.
YetAnotherWalk · 20/06/2021 18:16

What are cases like in your area? That would sway it for me. Ours are on the up and our town mixes with areas that are now surge testing, so I'm back to being fairly careful.

That said we're getting on a train this weekend to a museum...

Comedycook · 20/06/2021 18:16

If you're unvaccinated and clinically vulnerable then yanbu.

If you're not vulnerable and have had at least one jab,I think it's a bit silly to avoid it.

Hallyup6 · 20/06/2021 18:41

I'd go. I think people are being way over cautious about being around other people. The kids have missed out on so much that I'd want them to enjoy themselves.

Tereseta · 20/06/2021 18:57

We have been to soft play recently and found it well organised and much cleaner than usual. The staff were fogging the equipment between sessions and tables were spread out. I appreciate that all soft plays are different so maybe call in or ring the one the party is in and ask what covid measures are in place. I would take my lo as they have missed out on so much and a party would be great right now.

Peach01 · 20/06/2021 19:03

I have inside information that my local one has the balls cleaned only once a year...let that sink in 😂

GreenWheat · 20/06/2021 19:04

I would go, but I am not really concerned about anyone in my household catching covid. If I had people at home for whom it would be an enormous inconvenience to have to isolate if my party child tests positive then I might feel differently.

RoseMartha · 20/06/2021 19:07

I have never liked them. Used to avoid them until the kids were a bit older. Then tolerated them occasionally if they were part of a larger attraction eg an adventure park.

Just say no if you dont want to go.

User1284568195 · 20/06/2021 19:32

Our soft play is the cleanest it's ever been. Things like the ball pit have been removed and they say that there is some type of "fogging" they are spraying to clean everything.
You also get a time slot and they limit the numbers. For us it's far better than going usually, although our kids are not school age so we can go first thing in the morning.

I'm not sure I would go if numbers weren't limited though