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

[Lordofthebutterfloofs]

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.

We were once invited to softplay by DIL.
And declined. I could think of nothing worse.

So you aren't who I'm talking about are you? Unless all 9 children are small babies/toddlers in a trampoline park designed for kids 4+

@Clymene

But in some cases the younger adults have kids with them and parents with them who both need supervision! In fact my kids were pretty good with the great grandparents with dementia (who still wanted to go shopping etc, they have memory loss but weren't stupid!)

So if they have lots of children there… therefore taking up more space in the cafe etc, that’s fine to bring extended family along? But less children there with the extended family is not fine?

In my case it's six adults (seven if my mum comes) and nine children.

I don't think this is what op is talking about. If the parent/ child ratio is 1:1.5 then it's no different to a couple taking their 3 children.

I think op means about 5/6 adults and one kid.

But I don't see what's the problem with the multiple adults and one child group either? Where do people suggest they meet up instead?

I think it's nice they've chosen somewhere child centred to meet. Not all families have multiple young children in them

I strongly suspect at least some of these will have a controlling dad who doesn't let his wife drive or go places on her own but also wouldn't look after the other child on his own or help the swimming/trampolining child get ready.

@Lordofthebutterfloofs what places would you deem acceptable meeting places for a large extended family with one small child?

I’ve been guilty of this at soft play, in our case DBro was sorting out contact arrangements via court and whilst it was ongoing DN’s mum would only allow 2 hours on a Saturday at a specific soft play centre where her sister worked.
We all took the opportunity to see DN when we could. I’d be there with parents, DSis and BIL.
Thankfully all sorted now and we see DN regularly. I wouldn’t turn up to A&E or similar places, the coffee is usually terrible!

I’d have love to have had lots of family to help with my children. And you did say there’s lots of room!

@SweetSakura

I didn't say there was anything wrong, I was just saying that I thought the pp had incorrectly assumed this was aimed at people like her.

And in a few years they will all be filling the entire front row of every single event you go to at school.....
I hear you, OP.

The park!

You would see me with my mum and dad as they can't cope with sen dc themselves but enjoy going.

People really are just completely intolerant of one another nowadays aren't they lol

I think op may have a point, depending on how the place handles numbers - if they have a limit by number of people in the building per session, it might make it better for kids as fewer people are using equipment.

If it's by number of equipment users then additional non-users are going to make communal space much more cramped.

How does that work for people like me who are disabled and can't sit outside for long stretches?

This can also be a cultural thing.

Attendance at a trampoline centre?

Which is wonderful when the weather is ok, but sometimes an alternative is needed!

The op said the cafe area was spacious so to me it sounds like the ideal location

Well yes - families who don't go in places where alcohol is served do sometimes go en masse to soft plays and trampoline parks.

Although having said that our local softplay has a licence!

Taking up a hospital seat while patients have to stand is just rude though - that's different.

@SweetSakura

No one has told you that you can't go somewhere!

I personally don't go to them at all because I have a back problem and find environments with lots of young kids running about to be a bit risky.

Maybe they just want to get together and a soft play is easiest as the kids are occupied 🤷🏼‍♀️

Not at the school where I work, we strictly limit it to two adults per child.