Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. Flexible and made to last.

Meet the Other Phone.
Flexible and made to last.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Entire extended families at soft play/trampoline parks and the like

231 replies

Lordofthebutterfloofs · 26/03/2023 11:00

Why? I don't get it. Am in a trampoline park at the minute letting my two blow off some steam and there are multiple families here with mum, dad, gran, grandad on both sides, auntie, uncle ect ect all with one (if we're honest, too small to be here) child.

Why? I don't get it. They do it at swimming lessons too when your trying to get your kids in and out clogging up the changing rooms.

OP posts:
wizzywig · 26/03/2023 11:02

And they don't even look like they are enjoying it

Whiskeypowers · 26/03/2023 11:03

They’re insane

BlackberrySky · 26/03/2023 11:05

My local trampoline park has a limit on the number of spectators per paying bouncer. I love it - more places should do that.

PuttingDownRoots · 26/03/2023 11:06

I can understand a couple of extra adults going to watch a swimming lesson occasionally, but they don't need to go in the changing room...

Monstermunchmum · 26/03/2023 11:06

Seriously why would anyone do this. I hate those places let alone having a family gathering.

Original poster
Lordofthebutterfloofs · 26/03/2023 11:16

BlackberrySky · 26/03/2023 11:05

My local trampoline park has a limit on the number of spectators per paying bouncer. I love it - more places should do that.

I think it's to do with cafe sales when there's no restriction. It's a big place so lots of room.

OP posts:
Bernadinetta · 26/03/2023 11:17

There’s a family at my DD’s swimming lesson and every single week the mum, the dad, the grandma, the grandad and the younger brother all come to watch the girl’s swimming lesson. It is not a large pool and there is a viewing window with one row of seats along in front of it. Every week all five of them sit along the viewing window completely oblivious to those of us who don’t get a seat where we can watch the lesson, it’s unreal.

NotAnotherBathBomb · 26/03/2023 11:48

A lot of places now charge for adults, or allow one free adult and charge for additional ones, for this reason

Iwantmyoldnameback · 26/03/2023 11:52

I expect they are going to the supermarket next. Obviously if child gets injured they will all go to A and E.

GoChasingWaterfalls · 26/03/2023 11:53

I can sort of understand the park if there's a cafe attached. Family get to sit down and have a catch up together whilst kids are occupied and therefore not constantly vying for attention.

But the swimming pool stuff does my head in. There must be one family in every lesson. One goes into the changing room with the kid whilst the rest of the family grab all the seats in the viewing area. I don't understand the appeal. I barely watch my kids do their lesson nevermind invite everyone else. Though if Grandma volunteers to take them herself I'd bite her hand off!

Anotherturnipforthebooks · 26/03/2023 11:54

Iwantmyoldnameback · 26/03/2023 11:52

I expect they are going to the supermarket next. Obviously if child gets injured they will all go to A and E.

😂😂😂

Teatime55 · 26/03/2023 12:04

The main one we went to charged for adults.
DH and I refused to pay to go together especially as the cafe was overpriced crap when you got there. Stopped this happeninf though.

Morph22010 · 26/03/2023 12:04

Iwantmyoldnameback · 26/03/2023 11:52

I expect they are going to the supermarket next. Obviously if child gets injured they will all go to A and E.

Or if one of the adults get injured they all go to a&e including the kids. I can never understand that when I go to a&e they’ll always be at least one family

CremeEggThief · 26/03/2023 12:06

Absolutely hate this, but going around and doing everything with other people all of the time is my idea of HELL anyway!
YANBU.

Original poster
Lordofthebutterfloofs · 26/03/2023 12:10

Iwantmyoldnameback · 26/03/2023 11:52

I expect they are going to the supermarket next. Obviously if child gets injured they will all go to A and E.

Oh lord I forgot about supermarkets and A&E.
One of the positives to come out of covid is the limits on hospital visiting

OP posts:
Dirtydiesel · 26/03/2023 12:14

Ds always needed 2 adults with him at soft play and occasionally we took along a relative who was happy to watch our belongings and eat cake whilst we were both supervising/dealing with stuff on the frame.

Travis1 · 26/03/2023 12:17

Because some families like spending time together and perhaps they don’t live close together or children’s house isn’t big enough to have the family over so this is a way they can meet, catch up, spend time with the kids and just be a family.

I mean if they are being obstructive in some way then they’re just rude but if they are simply existing in the same space as you why is it an issue?

Ionlydrinkondaysendinginy · 26/03/2023 12:17

Iwantmyoldnameback · 26/03/2023 11:52

I expect they are going to the supermarket next. Obviously if child gets injured they will all go to A and E.

I was about to write this exact comment 😂 🤣

Dirtydiesel · 26/03/2023 12:17

We also need a minimum of 2 adults at all times at appointments. No one would would be thanking us for the chaos with just one.

Waterlooville · 26/03/2023 12:18

Swimming lessons I get that's annoying, but what's wrong with sitting in a cafe with lots of room that's in soft play? Maybe they like spending time together? Sounds quite a good venue to me for that.

raincamepouringdown · 26/03/2023 12:20

Iwantmyoldnameback · 26/03/2023 11:52

I expect they are going to the supermarket next. Obviously if child gets injured they will all go to A and E.

Ugh. I have seen that: entire row of family in chairs with slightly injured child sitting in A&E. Madness.

BradleySt · 26/03/2023 12:20

Iwantmyoldnameback · 26/03/2023 11:52

I expect they are going to the supermarket next. Obviously if child gets injured they will all go to A and E.

Sorry I literally lol'd at this - even though it's not NetHuns

Coffeellama · 26/03/2023 12:21

Lordofthebutterfloofs · 26/03/2023 11:16

I think it's to do with cafe sales when there's no restriction. It's a big place so lots of room.

Show quote history

So it’s a big place with lots of room and a cafe… so what’s the issue? Could just be a handy way for the kids parents to entertain the kids and catch up with the grandparents at the same time. Not comparable to whole families going shopping or to a&e

Wishawisha · 26/03/2023 12:23

I only know one family like this - more often than not an extended relative (grandparent, aunt, uncle) will tag along on the school run!

Original poster
Lordofthebutterfloofs · 26/03/2023 12:23

Travis1 · 26/03/2023 12:17

Because some families like spending time together and perhaps they don’t live close together or children’s house isn’t big enough to have the family over so this is a way they can meet, catch up, spend time with the kids and just be a family.

I mean if they are being obstructive in some way then they’re just rude but if they are simply existing in the same space as you why is it an issue?

Because, despite the space they often ARE in the way, loud groups, nick all the cafe chairs and tables, dick about ordering 42 coffees, back and forth carrying things yoohooing at the child whilst (usually mum) supervises the too small to be there child who gets in the way of the older children using the equipment designed for older children.

I am clearly not talking about children who NEED two supervising parents. Two is not the entire extended family either.

OP posts: