I saw a girl kick my daughter!

[Positron]

I was at a soft play area a few weeks ago, with my daughter who will be 3 in december.

She was at the higher level of one of these soft toy play areas, and from where i was standing, I could see she was interacting with a girl who was about aged 6. At first it all looked playful, but then the older girl kicked her in the stomach.

There was not alot I could do standing much further below, but I did make gestures to the girl not to do it again. I then had a polite word with the girl's mother who hadn't spotted what had gone on - she acknowledged me, but didnt really apologise, but I did see her give out to her daughter afterwards.

Another time, again in another soft play area, my daughter kept coming up to me from time to time because some boy (a bit older than her) was hitting her (maybe playing rough), but on this occasion, I hadn't seen what had gone on, and so didn't want to approach the parents because I hadn't seen it for myself.

What would you have done in these situations? Or what similar experiences have you had? Is it right to discipline someone else's child, and what if the parents get defensive/aggressive?

The very reason I avoid the soft play at all cost. It's so often dirty and full of litte terrors with potty-mouth Mommas[yuckkk]at worst, or simply overactive children who play rough.
I can be rather intimidating and quite scary (according to DH) and having someone hurt my cubs is bound to bring the worst out of moi....
I fear for the offending party.....
Luckily we don't have one anywhere near us so won't be tempted even in the heaviest downpour to pop in, cricket field and hills etc. is where we're headed, every day....

There is a child at my son's nursery that is as tall as my tall 6 year old. She's in age 6 to 7 clothes, and she's not yet 4.

Just something to bear in mind when judging who should be where and how they should be expected to behave in soft play areas.

I hate soft play venues. All I see are lots of mothers sitting, chatting and drinking some beverage or other whilst holy war is taking place on the play frame!

bleurgh!

But, fruitysunshine (and others who dislike softplay for the same reason),

"holy war" can take place anywhere - it's gonna happen when kids are in/start school too, but we are not going to be around all the time when it happens. Surely it's not a bad idea for our kids to learn as little bit of self-reliance/defence from an early age? Whilst they are very young, of course we would need to be around to ensure their safety, but it's like I said, too much wrapping up in cotton wool can do more harm than good in the long run, can't it?

Anyone had good things to say about soft play?

I love them.

I think those who hate them are the one who just want to sit and chat and can't be A.

I love to do that too, but then I organise a playdate at home.

Playscapes are physical, it's like a mini gym. That's the whole point. And emotional like teamsport or a playground. I take my kids to these venues precisely to put them in that context and help them learn to socialise.

anyway, Positron, you are NOT alone

(Harrr, HATE the term playdate, children do not date for crying out loud. [bloody Americanisms].)
However, in school etc. the children in the class are about the same age hence more even keel for the holy war.
It's also a bit of a sweeping statement that parents who despise soft play do not generally give a damn.
Thought that 'hovering' over your child was considered a no-no by soft play enthusiasts so what would you like the poor parentials to do?

cheers slim22! solidarity for soft play!