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Soft play area - Am I being a snob?

233 replies

CJones1982 · 08/01/2014 15:22

My DS has just turned 3 yrs old and we've just got back from our local soft play area. Whilst there, I witnessed some problems and behaviours from other mums and their children. Whenever we go there I make sure I'm feeling energetic so I can go round with him to help him and just incase he needs me, maybe I'm too protective! There was a group of 6 mums and they just let their kids get on with it. One gave her little girl a fruit shoot which she then brought into the ball pit, I don't agree with food in there anyway and there are signs saying no food and drink inside the play area. The girl then squirted the fruit shoot in my face. I was polite and just said 'we don't do that as it's not nice, drinks are for drinking. Her mum witnessed this then came over and simply took the drink off her and said your not allowed drinks in there, no telling off for the squirting! Don't give it to her then!! The girl was then throwing balls in other children's faces and then mine. I said to her ' these are to play in, you can throw against the soft wall or other balls but not at each other as that's not nice' - The children were all running riot and then I decided to take my son to a quieter area. All the kids then followed me trying to hold my hand and talking to me. I didn't mind at all but the parents just sat there gossiping or engrossed on their phones and had no clue where the children were. It's like I was the paid entertainer!! So am I being snobby? Does this happen at your local soft play? If my son showed any behaviour that was unkind or inconsiderate to others, I'd tell him! I mentioned to my friend on the phone when I got home and she said 'The mums were having a break, get over it' - So I had to ask you mumsnetters? If I'm wrong and you say so, I'll go with it!

OP posts:
Are your children’s vaccines up to date?
Saucia · 08/01/2014 15:25

why were you in the ball pit?

CJones1982 · 08/01/2014 15:27

Playing with my son, we were going through the colours, counting, juggling etc! Is that odd then?

OP posts:
JeanSeberg · 08/01/2014 15:31

One gave her little girl a fruit shoot

Did she have a Gregg's pasty too?

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Twobusyboys · 08/01/2014 15:33

Sounds pretty typical for soft play. Other than the squirting in face. Did the other mum definitely see that? I am quite like you i like to follow the children and make sure all ok. But most mums dont bother.

CJones1982 · 08/01/2014 15:34

I've not got a thing about fruit shoots, my son has them now and again but it was just having a 'drink' in there and the complete lack of attention from the parents.

OP posts:
Gileswithachainsaw · 08/01/2014 15:34

Isn't the whole point of soft play that you chuck the kids in and fab a coffee. If I wanted to interact the entire time I'd say home :o

Gileswithachainsaw · 08/01/2014 15:35

grab

SoonToBeSix · 08/01/2014 15:36

Yes sorry you are being a snob, most parents ( myself) take their dc to soft play for a bit of a break. Obviously they need to keep one eye on their dc not ignore them totally.
The squirting wasn't a big deal they are just little kids. Interesting you felt the need to specify the type of drink Grin

Thurlow · 08/01/2014 15:36

As soon as DC has learnt to do something at soft play, I stop following. I'm obviously lax, if an older child shows interest in looking after them (it's weird how 6yo girls like to play mum to little kids!) I just let them get on with it.

Squirting drink in your face is bad. But other than that, as far as I'm aware soft play is where you go to let your kids run off some steam while you MN with just one eye on 'em for any punching or biting Grin

CJones1982 · 08/01/2014 15:37

Yes I get the concept of having a little break but just letting your kids get on with it, bad behaviour and all, ruining it for others, etc

OP posts:
Eletheomel · 08/01/2014 15:38

Agree that it sounds pretty normal for soft play (and you have outlined the main reasons I hate it - lazy, can't be bothered parents and badly behaved kids) however, DS1 loves it, so we have to endure it..

I frequently get 'parent rage' at these places and as myself and DH also go in the structure (when allowed) to play with DS1 (he was a very shy toddler and would never play in there by himself and its only now at 4 that he likes to go off on his own at times) we always get 'adopted' by other folks kids (who are too busy socialising to be bothered entertaining their own kids..)

Many sympathies from me, but no solutions - some folk appear to view soft play as entertainment/supervision for their kids so that they get time off to gaze at their iphone without interruptions...

MyNameIsKenAdams · 08/01/2014 15:38

I thought I would avoid the rabble by going to a naice softplay in Bugaboo City, but turns out the kids were still ignored and left to roam with food only this time it was bananas and organix fruit nibbles.

And I paid twice as much for the privelidge.

Gileswithachainsaw · 08/01/2014 15:39

We'll the behaviour wasn't on. But you chose to interact with all the children. If you'd left yours to it they would have talked to eachother :o

Disclaimer: my children would of course be disciplined for being naughty I'm not a complete wash out mum

lilyaldrin · 08/01/2014 15:40

I hate parents who insist on crawling around in the soft play getting in all the kids' way! It's not designed for massive adults to lumber around in.

CJones1982 · 08/01/2014 15:41

We are getting a split here aren't we! I'm talking about children between 18 months to age 3ish, not 6 year olds.

OP posts:
Gileswithachainsaw · 08/01/2014 15:42

Agreed lily :o plus it always makes your kids come back and try and drag you in cos they saw someone else do it

lilyaldrin · 08/01/2014 15:42

Isn't there a baby area for under 2s you could confine yourself to?

Gileswithachainsaw · 08/01/2014 15:43

Agreed lily :o plus it always makes your kids come back and try and drag you in cos they saw someone else do it

lilyaldrin · 08/01/2014 15:43

Oh wait, I see your child is 3 OP!

Stay out of the soft play, it's for children.

CJones1982 · 08/01/2014 15:45

The small area is up to 4 years.

OP posts:
Thurlow · 08/01/2014 15:45

Last time we went there was a mum in the climbing frame, quite understandably helping her toddler around as he was too small to climb it on his own - I was having a coffee, suddenly heard a familiar wail, and looked up to see this now horrified mum chasing after my bloody-nosed screaming DD because she had accidentally kneed her hard in the face when trying to extricate herself from the climbing frame!

Gileswithachainsaw · 08/01/2014 15:47

Now see yabu for being in the baby bit :o chuck him in the main frame

Upcycled · 08/01/2014 15:51

OP. Stay near, keep an eye on him but let him get on with it.
You will find misbehaving kids and uninterested parents every where.
Also you son needs to learn to stand up for himself, predicted another's child behaviour and he will come and get you when he needs help.

I don't think the other mums did nothing wrong and maybe you should have pointed out to that particular mum that her girl squirted juice in your face. How can you be sure she have seen it?

HenriettaPie · 08/01/2014 15:51

OP I am so with you! My son is 3 and daughter is 1 and they like me to go in with them. Our local one has a till and play market stall and play cafe that DS likes me to play with him. As soon as we do, all the other children are straight over and I end up like bloomin Mary Poppins, surrounded by everyone else's children. I really don't like to pay £9 to look after everyone else's kids for an hour!

Lameduck · 08/01/2014 15:52

You we're bring the unpaid entertainer as you were acting like a clown !

Who made you the soft play police?

You were in the ball pit....

If I was one of those kids mothers I would have been laughing my head off at you trying to escape ' the bad' kids and find some where niace to play Grin

The fact they were trying to hold your hand,they must have thought you were a good sport!

Where is your soft play then as I would like to come down and watch the weekly entertainment !!

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