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.

You must surely all agree that it’s anti social behaviour for those lads to take over a kiddies small play area by belting footballs.

Op, if teenage boys GENUINELY have made your toddler child bleed on multiple occasions, then why would you continue to take your kid there? Regardless of who is “right” or “wrong”

Oooh what a reach. I'm surprised you didn't strain your back there.

You really don't like boys do you. And presumably men unless they are of the whimsical bookish nature.

Annoying, selfish kids whacking a football is quite a different matter to being a rapist

How would those saying children should be allowed to play wherever and however they please feel if the council stepped in with signs and fines for older children playing football in a designated non football toddler play area?
Would they reply - to
the council - as so many have - depressingly - replied here that children can play wherever and in whatever way they want to regardless of others?
In my local park - a rough area of a big city with the ubiquitous perfume of dope - there is:
a new unfenced play area for toddlers- a fenced in basketball court for older children - a large field for football which now has (some) girls -
hurray and an adult exercise area.
All used mostly appropriately and happily- there are also park keepers and parents and volunteers who keep the park nice - it’s small and is all we have - allowing selfish behaviour ruins open spaces for everyone.

Would you like a curfew on all boys op, so that you and your daughter can navigate the children's playground safely?

I expect you will have long changed your user name once your daughter gets to teenage years and the challenges that this brings. Imagine people searching back on this pile of cringe.

And the response on the village Facebook page would be the same

"Stop being so bloody ridiculous and let the boys just mind their own business and play"

And the kids, would rightly, carry on.

That is until nimby parent who is mates with the local parish councillors nagged enough to get 'no ball games' signs put up ruining it.

The local jobsworth would then have their photo printed in the local LD newsletter how they'd done something wonderful for the community, which the majority of locals think is utter bullshit.

And the kids have nothing to do but sit playing computer games in darkened rooms losing social skills.

Yep I know how it works.

@TheObstinateHeadstrongGirl

Large numbers of boys bombing about is exactly the scenario OP is describing only they have a well aimed hard case football which has hurt her child.

If you agree larger children should be separated from toddlers - why would it be acceptable for them to play within shot of a walled toddler playground where they can hurt children? They should play in an open area well away from toddlers so that accidents can't happen.

I'm hoping that you consider the safety of children in the school you work in as you appear to think knocking children over with footballs is acceptable outside of school.

If I had a penny for every time a parent had complained about accidents due to footballs in the playground, I'd be filthy rich. (My school allowed one year group to play football at one end of the playground each day - unfortunately the football never stayed at one end of the playground. Thank goodness nursery and reception play areas were on the other side of the school building.)

Parents would complain when football in the playground was banned and then the same parents would come squaring up to a teacher confrontationally when their child was injured by a football/playing football. I've seen quite a few broken limbs and split open skin due to collisions from playing football. And that was primary school.

I completely understand why OP doesn't want ignorant children smashing balls around near her toddler.

I have an 8yo nephew, but he's autistic and minimally verbal so not exactly standard. He's the most incredibly gentle child and I adore him. I also have my cousin's boys, who again are very kind and gentle but then i don't see them with their friends. I think as with all kids behavious sort of escalates when they're in groups (i know this is true of my DD and excessive noise/silliness) and even more so I assume in the absence of parental/teacher supervision.

And I have tried to ask them. Several times. I always do. Politely because I'm scared shitless of one of them telling their parent I 'shouted' at them or 'had a go at them' or something and having them turn up all guns blazing to give me a bollocking. And because they're kids and i don't want to upset them! I just want them to tone it down a bit so it's safe.

Honestly if you knew me you'd know what I'm like, I love kids, I'm very friendly to them and I'm not the least bit scary. But I am starting to get frustrated because it's made such a battle just to have my kids out to play.

I refer you to my post to @TheObstinateHeadstrongGirl re my supposed lying. What is the point of saying that? I can't prove it's happened, you can't prove it hasn't. report me or whatever if you think my post isn't in good faith. And I never said regularly. I said it's happened more than once. Not on purpose, of course, they're children! But it makes little difference to her if it's on purpose or not.

There should be no street football. Kids can’t control a ball. If they want to kick a ball they should go to a designated area of the local park

Ah, OP you're not doing yourself any favors. I really do think you need to examine how you look and think about boys.
I'm a mum of two boys in the age you state. I don't agree they should play on the playground for toddlers because of lack of provision (which is shit in all areas for that age group) They should move aside (if they are really causing bother?)
This could be achieved by pro-actively protecting your precious wee things from flying balls in the first place.
"Hiya lads, Baby Princess got smacked in the face last time, do us a favor and keep the ball low, we'll only be here 20 mins, they you can wack it about all you like. Nice one, cheers lads"
They ignore you. pop the ball

Not unless they're doing it on a toddlers' play area.

I think grown adults need to stop tip toeing around because they're afraid of other parents. It's a bit pathetic. Unless the adult doesn't actually truly think they are in the right.

Or just avoid the toddler play area. Simples

No because I work. A lot of people ask this which seems odd to me - don't most people work?

Wow, is this still going on with the op fighting with everyone that she is not being unreasonable and getting more and more exaggerated with it😱 .

I see now a hard kicked leather football in the face of a two year old apparently doesn’t break their nose, just makes it bleed a little. Who knew. And an eight year old is now classed as a pre teen, even though it is actually defined in the dictionary, as posters on here have rightly defined it, as an 11 or 12 year old. Who knew that?

teach us more op. From your guidance on following your kids round as they age , how to parent effectively advice , the limited injury of a hard kicked ball to the face of a small child , the fact girls don’t play aggressive football, to the new extended definition of a pre teen, it is enlightening.

how low does this new definition of a pre teen go? Does it include your two year old? What about a new born? Are you sure 8 was the youngest preteen? Was there some five year old pre teens there with no parents too?

😄

Exactly. If a kid hit my baby in the face with a ball so hard they bled, I’d tell the kids to leave, and if they told me to “fuck off” I’d call the council anti social behaviour line. Or the police non emergency line.

I wouldn’t keep taking my child to a situation where they could get hurt so badly that they bleed repeatedly.

This is a clown world where 6 year old girls are toddlers and 8 year old boys are pre teens.

Is this what this has come to - people actual defending a boy hoofing a ball at a toddler in the face causing it to bleed - because 'she's a princess.' Oh, and the toddler is the one in the right place. Stop the world, I want to get off.

Why do you keep inventing? I said there is a free sapce they could play in, but they don't.

Oh yeah, sorry, i'm just lying for kicks because I hate all males.

Maybe the kids aren’t allowed to go to the further park, because they are 8?

Oh has it progressed to deliberate now?

They no doubt had knives and bottles of white lightning too.

Oh yeah, sorry, i'm just lying for kicks because I hate all males.

You already said you're glad you don't have boys. Particularly ones seemingly that exhibit typical boy behaviour.