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.

No, I missed that. I don’t go to Ikea often myself but if I ever have to I try to go when I know school is in session so as to miss the family entourages.

I actually cannot believe this post! We are complaining about large families spending going out together and spending their own money. Jesus christ mumsnet catch yourself on!

Maybe going to soft play where the kids blow of some steam and the adults all having a coffee and catch up is just logistically the easiest way to do it.... or god forbid maybe they enjoy it. Why does it bloody matter?

Whole families turning up to A&E is obviously stupid, if it's the same family going to swim lessons every week maybe that's annoying (although I'd love if my mum wanted to come watch with me) but kids going to trampoline/ soft play and the adults all sitting enjoying a coffee is actually quite a normal thing for families to do.

And someones ridiculous post about why would a couple even do this together it must be controlling..... again this is actually a totally normal thing for a couple to do.

Why do you all care so much that other people have big involved families that enjoy catching up together? I think it says more about a lot of you than it does them

This is a really insular view. Have you considered that the families in question might not live near eachother and want to meet up somewhere central? Softplay is the perfect place so the kids can have fun whilst being in a secure environment and the adults can chat.

Why is it odd?

Why wouldnt a happy couple sit and have a coffee and chat together when the kids are playing 😂

I think it's a really odd place to meet up as an extended family if there's only a couple of kids. It's not like the extended family will be interacting much with the children as they're in the soft play.

If it's family who don't see each other often I'd prefer to go somewhere where the grownups actually get to spent time with the children. If it's a family who live near to each other and see each other often, what's the point in everyone going? Soft play cafes are not nice so why would they even want to go?

Because it's a cafe in late stage capitalism. Get a hold of yourself.

Claims of taking resources are mad. It's not a well, it's a soft play cafe...

Maybe it’s for a birthday celebration so they are doing something fun for the children without the hassle of an expensive party

What? How is this linked to the theory of late stage capitalism?

Exactly so weird that people have this view. This is one of the most ridiculous mumsnet posts I have ever seen.

We only see our families once every few years and then we would stay for about 1-2 weeks- so if the kids want to spend an hour at a trampoline park and we can have a coffee with their parents.... wth is wrong with that? It doesnt mean it's the only place we ever go with them

It could also be very possible that someone in the family isnt well and they are trying to spend every spare minute together

But sure how dare other people buy coffee and chat to their families for fear it may slightly inconvenience miserable strangers

Personally when we go out as a family we do things where we can interact. If it's soft play that's more so one can mark or the other can do DIY. I wouldn't go for a coffee with my husband at soft play!

If that's to me, Truckinghell, I won't get a hold of myself thank you very much. That's what you need to do, if you're bringing everyone everywhere all the time and stopping people the facilities are most meant for from using them!

I wouldn't be at all surprised if you're one of those sly people who show up half an hour early to grab the "best seats" at kids' assemblies with your extended family members and don't give a damn if you're potentially taking a seat from a parent!😡 Selfish and rude.

Eg family climbing session or hike. Nice pub meal with a playground. Visit a castle etc. Family activities.

I think that we should discuss the phenomenon of the 'soft play cage' within the context of dialectical change.

Soft play cafe*

The soft play where we used to live did a valentines event so parents with no childcare could still have a date night. They put on special food and everything. I thought it was cute.

This is what I was going to say!

To add, I thought the idea was cute, not the event. We didn't go

I doubt people who go to soft play do that and that alone as a family outing. It is possible to do things where you interact and other things were you just sit and watch and let the kids play independently. Personally I do both and personally if the kids want soft play and I happen to want a coffee and a chat I'll do that too.

@Servole

😂😂😂

Fuck sake lol god forbid a couple with a child want to spend some quality time together on their days off work

agree. I think the OP is just jealous

Some families actually like to spend time together. Some children like the encouragement and support.

@CremeEggThief

My son is due to start primary school this year. The opening nights for our closest and preferred school were limited in numbers and needed to be booked. We had Covid for the night we booked so I tried to book for the other - could only get one place so my partner stayed at home.

We weren't too bothered about this until I arrived and saw that some grandparents had gone along, like it was a night out - 4 fucking adults for one child!

Taking up space at any school event that means a parent or guardian cannot attend is an absolute piss take.

I’ve literally never seen this is any of those locations… maybe I’m lucky!