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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?
TheFabulousIdiot · 08/01/2014 19:20

What does 'not so much' mean in the context of supervising agree year old? You mean every child is different?

CJones1982 · 08/01/2014 19:20

Lily, I've never said I want to stay by my child, he likes me to, hardly ruining it for other children and certainly never said they better not try to play with me either! That's completely made up!

OP posts:
LittleThorinOakenshield · 08/01/2014 19:22

I think she means the majority of three year olds don't need as close supervision as an 18 month old.

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LittleThorinOakenshield · 08/01/2014 19:23

OP I do love a go around in one of those climbing things with nets.

I take my 11 month old up there for a good excuse and a go on the slides.

CJones1982 · 08/01/2014 19:26

Maybe my DS is a big baby and I encourage it! He's a sensitive, shy little thing that wants his mummy! Let's all cheer up and have a go in soft play, you might enjoy it!

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haveyourselfashandy · 08/01/2014 19:27

You would seriously judge me CJones,my dd is 18 months and the minute we walk into soft play she zooms off and I don't see her again for 2 hours!We have been going to the same one regularly since she was 6 months old though so she is familiar with the place.I don't like to get in the way of all the other children so I do tend to sit with a coffee watching from the side and I would definitely remove her if she misbehaved and I wouldn't judge you for getting involved its just for me,it is a nice break for a few hours a week and I do think its important for her to play with other kids on her own.

Bluestocking · 08/01/2014 19:28

OP, using the word "whilst" makes you sound not so much like a snob as like a pompous twit who deserves to be squirted in the face with a fruit shoot.

LittleThorinOakenshield · 08/01/2014 19:28

If MN did soft play, it would be bloody feral.

CakePunch · 08/01/2014 19:29

I also juggle maybe we could do some tandem? That would really blow the kids minds.

CJones1982 · 08/01/2014 19:29

When my son is more independent and social, I'm not going to be with him then! I just feel he still needs me at the moment. I'm not going to be going down the slide with him when he's 8!

OP posts:
CJones1982 · 08/01/2014 19:30

We'll do the juggling and everyone else can watch from your chairs!!!

OP posts:
CJones1982 · 08/01/2014 19:32

I love the word 'WHILST', I taught my son it in the ball pit!

OP posts:
GoofyIsACow · 08/01/2014 19:36

So if once your DS is 'more independant and sociable' you will leave him to it, don't judge other who have already reached that stage...

Or better still... Just don't judge others!

GinSoakedMisery · 08/01/2014 19:37

I meant a three year old does not need as much supervision as an 18 month old.

Op, what do you do when you take both your DC to the soft play? Do you make them both stay with you, allow your 6 year old to run free, get the 3 year old go round with the 6 year old?

CJones1982 · 08/01/2014 19:38

2 years old is hardly independent! Maybe you should tell all the other posters to stop being judgemental too

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hoppinghare · 08/01/2014 19:40

I agree with the OP. I always went in with my firstborn and thought those who didn't go in were strange. However, I now let my two oldest, 4 and 2, go in together without me as I have a baby I can't leave by herself. I keep my eye on them but there have been no problems. My first child was too shy to be alone anywhere at 2 so probably wouldn't have been okay without me. I think it depends on the child.

CJones1982 · 08/01/2014 19:42

Handcuff them together, chuck them in and go shopping!

OP posts:
GinSoakedMisery · 08/01/2014 19:43

It was a genuine question, no need to be like that Hmm

CJones1982 · 08/01/2014 19:44

Sorry I didn't mean it like that. 6 yr old usually goes off on his own and I take little one round, then we usually bump into him

OP posts:
scottishmummy · 08/01/2014 19:45

Counting and juggling,uh-hun.maybe do so trigonometry too,or kumon maths
You need to let your kid play in soft play without you hovering like a pneumatic bunny
And yes you git squirted,shouldn't have been in the ball pit then

CJones1982 · 08/01/2014 19:47

I must remember my protractor next time

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GoofyIsACow · 08/01/2014 19:48

Your two year old may not be, but others may feel theirs are capable of playing independently in a protected soft play envoironment.
We aren't talking, letting them cross a main road alone, independent!

You started a thread to judge others, everyone is responding to that, regardless of this thread I cannot bear parental judging. I hate the guilt people pile on themselves because they feel judged.

Accept your parenting is different to others, not that your way is right and their way is wrong. Read how defensive you have been when a challenging response was given, you feel you are doing the best for your child and someone comes along and judges you for it! How dare they!?

I love soft play (only one in our particular area because it is kept immaculately clean and the food/coffee is great, plus its great value and they do twin discount) it helps my sanity, truly. I have absolutely no interest in what others are doing whilst there, playing with their DC's, reading, drinking a brew, checking their phone. Because everyone, at some point, has needed a bit of time out.

gamerchick · 08/01/2014 19:48

I do like the idea of a MN soft play mind.. The threads would be mint Grin

GinSoakedMisery · 08/01/2014 19:51

So did you let your 6 year old run free at a soft play when they were younger?

A MN soft play, alcohol would definitely be involved.

Thurlow · 08/01/2014 19:55

I went to soft play on Xmas eve morning, it was dead, ended up having a lovely chat for an hour with another random mum there while her DC looked after mine. That's what soft.play can be like. Nice bit of socialising for everyone.

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