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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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Original poster

To think 9 isn't too old to enjoy the playground?

43 replies

00100001 · 14/06/2023 16:21

My SIL thinks her 9yo lad shouldn't be going to the playground anymore as she's "too old for that kind of thing now"?

Aibu to think 9 is fine?!

OP posts:

verabarbleen · 14/06/2023 17:16

Not too old! I wish they made giant playgrounds for teens and adults! I bet the teens would love it. Huge slides and massive swings etc... I know there are theme parks but they are not free!

verabarbleen · 14/06/2023 17:16

I have toddlers and we go to the park in the day as it's so quiet and I always have a swing 😂

mastertomsmum · 14/06/2023 17:20

A friends child (approx 9) was asked to move off a trampoline by a parent who then stood her toddler on it and tried to encourage the toddler to jump. Said toddler was interested in looking at all the other trampoliners but not in actually jumping. Most jumpers were 7 or more

NewPinkJacket · 14/06/2023 17:24

I think you're both bonkers to be honest.

Her for thinking 9 years is too old for a playground.

You for thinking you might be unreasonable to disagree.

Lacucuracha · 14/06/2023 17:32

Is she for laugh? I still enjoy a playground in my 40s.

There were some massive tyre swings at a forest the other day, I had so much fun. No other kids there.

Cantstopthenoise · 14/06/2023 17:32

Not too old at all, I have a Special Needs teen who still loves the big swings at the park and I was still playing in the play park with my cousins on holiday when I was a teenager!

Febreezefantastic · 14/06/2023 18:32

Depends on the playground surely?

There are always parents complaining that the younger ones are being "bullied" by bigger children too old to use the playground.

A lot of 9 yo are happier climbing trees and playing football than being "with the babies" in the playground.

70sTomboy · 14/06/2023 18:35

Mountainpika · 14/06/2023 16:58

I wish there were playgorunds for over 70s. I'd be there playing.

Over 50s too 😁

megletthesecond · 14/06/2023 18:36

You're never too old for a playground.

Funkyblues101 · 14/06/2023 18:38

My 14 yr old still has the occasional "mad dash" with his 11 year old sib. If you can't enjoy a playground then what can you enjoy?!

riotlady · 14/06/2023 18:41

Our nearest playground has loads of middle schoolers that stop by on the way home from school. They were playing with my 5yo and her friends on the roundabout the other day, it was lovely to see

ThePoint678 · 14/06/2023 18:43

No way! But I do firmly tell my kids to make sure the little ones always go first and they are gentle and careful around them. If the park is empty though it’s fair game and all in.

FlounderingFruitcake · 14/06/2023 18:48

Depends on the playground surely?! There’s one near me that’s obviously a toddler playground yet if you go school run time then it’s annoyingly full of preteens just sitting on the pretend train having a chat so the little ones can’t get near it. But the big playgrounds, definitely not too old! There’s another 1 nearby that has a huge 8+ adventure section so if 9 would be too old for that then I’m not sure it would have much purpose.

Crazyducklady · 14/06/2023 18:50

My 12 and 15 yr olds still enjoy the park (only the bits that are suitable for them size wise). Obviously they’re considerate of anyone younger as they’re decent humans.

They also play in the garden every day.

Long may it last. What’s the hurry to grow up? What do we want them to be doing instead?

funinthesun19 · 14/06/2023 18:51

Some parents want their children to grow up too fast. I bet she thinks he shouldn’t be playing with any toys either. Such a kill joy mum.

And I don’t know why, but I bet this attitude from parents is more likely to be about their sons rather than their daughters. This man up culture, “I don’t want you looking like a baby” etc… Really sad.

CreationNat1on · 14/06/2023 18:51

44 here, still enjoy a go on the swings

Saschka · 20/06/2023 00:24

There’s a playground right next to our school. The year 6 kids are always hogging the swings and doing gymnastics on the bars after school. Totally normal.

Girasoli · 20/06/2023 06:37

I can understand a 9 year old maybe not enjoying a playground if all the equipment is for younger children/not challenging but if I had a 9/10/11 year old that still wanted to go to the playground I'd be happy.

DS7 sometimes moans about going to the playground with DS3 depending on which playground it is, but even at a 'boring' playground he is happy as long as he can bring a ball with him.

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