To think parents who let their kids 'play out' are just completely abdicating responsibility for their kids' behaviour?

[MaybeIWillFuckOffThen]

We have a little walled playground near our house - little climbing frame, slide, stepping stones, toddler swing, very clearly aimed at a young primary/pre-school audience.

It's currently being completely taken over by a huge group of 10-12 preteen/early teen boys playing very rough games of football with real leather footballs. The bang the balls off the walls and hoof them in the air so they go careering everywhere at speed, they run around roughly after the ball pushing and shoving each other and getting in other people's personal space, they fight and shout aggressively and swear. Not a parent in sight of course so no-one to appeal to to get them to moderate their behaviour/find a more suitable venue (like say the massive park 5 minutes walk away). I've had a word now and again but generally just get mutinous stares and/or backchat. I can't really take my kids (2 and 6) there to play any more as it isn't safe for them and the atmosphere is so aggressive.

Why do people just turn their kids out of doors with no idea where they're going/what they're doing? It makes it impossible for other parents - either they have to tell your kid off for you (immediately in the wrong) or they simply have to either put up with inappropriate, loutish behaviour or give way to it and leave.

Of course that’s what you meant

I don’t know why you’re getting such a hard time here OP. No, of course it’s not acceptable of them.

😆yes I have learned nothing of children in my 38 years of life and parenting of 2 of them. Bless my poor dear isolated heart. I'll skip back to my little house on the prairie now!

Have a look at the ideas behind JourneymanUK.

@TheObstinateHeadstrongGirl

OP and I are on the same page. Football should be played on a pitch. Not around any form of play equipment. It's unsafe.

Not if it involves a grown man scaring young children for having the audacity to <gasp> play football in a park

You have to give them freedom at some point or you are not allowing normal childhood development to adulthood. Imagine dropping your kid off at uni after helicopter parenting for years they wouldn't cope. You teach good manners and tell them not to succumb to peer pressure.

Ridiculous - football can be played anywhere safely in a safe, open space

The op is getting backlash because she is criticising other parents while clearly not having the first clue about how to parent an older child.

And also because she is coming across as precious by over exaggating the risk

The play park should be for all the kids. Not just the ops. If the older kids literally are playing football in amongst the play equipment then that is not appropriate (but seems unlikely). Kicking the ball at a wall away from the equipment? Meh.

It was an example. I can't knit 😆 another person very keen for my child t have a horrible time to teach me a lesson I see.

Oh dear you have a closed mind.

Doesn’t need to be anything like threatening but I doubt they’ll get “lippy” with a grown man.

See I CAN knit and used to when the kids were babies but I think my children would run away with embarrassment if I say etching them whilst knitting when they’re actual teenagers hanging out with their mates.

Of course they're entitled to play.

But it's not ok for them to play footie amongst the play equipment in the toddler play area, putting others at risk.

@MaybeIWillFuckOffThen

It was your suggestion! If you think it will result in your child having a horrible time, why would you insist other parents should be doing it?!

I doubt they got 'lippy' with op if she asked them in a respectful manner to move.

I have a closed mind because I’m it comfortable with a ‘grumpy daddy’ intimidating young boys?

OK.

Is he allowed to intimidate young girls? Like the OP’s DD in 2 years? Is that OK?

Exactly @Fifi00 - I also mentioned about peer pressure in my earlier post.

OP you have experience with a 2 and 6 year old. With respect you haven’t got to the teenage years yet!

I agree with this.

If someone just came up to me being gobby and bossing me about they’d be getting as much of a gob full back. It’s not OK to do this to kids just because you’re an adult and they aren’t.

I'm sure your kids will always be impeccably behaved when they're out and about on their own, OP!

I dunno my own experience tells me otherwise. But that’s all I’ve got 🤷🏻‍♀️

No point talking to ....... you have no idea what I am talking about as you have one idea in your head and are running with that.

It should make absolutely no difference. A toddler play area with equipment in it is for toddlers to play on, not older kids kicking a football in and around it. There is space for them (an open grassy area by the sounds of it) but as OP says, they don't use it.

@TheObstinateHeadstrongGirl

Well there you go - you've contradicted yourself.

Yes - an open space.

Not around play equipment where small children are playing - as that is not an open space. By the very nature of grouped play equipment - it certainly isn't an open space.

An open playing field - that's an open space. Not Play equipment within a small walled area.

My experience is that sometimes kids are “lippy” without any provocation. I think those saying otherwise are a bit naive.