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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:
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CJones1982 · 08/01/2014 19:58

No I didn't, he wanted me with him up until about 3 & a half then matured and was fine. I didn't want to start such a reaction with everyone. I was simply annoyed at the behaviour I saw and should have thought no more of it instead of posting. I agree with goofyisacow. I'm sorry for being defensive after certain posts. I just feel the constant judging from everyone else about my style of parenting, I'm not saying it's right, just right for my children. We all put ourselves under too much pressure and competing with milestones etc, we all should chill

OP posts:
MrsDeVere · 08/01/2014 20:00

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

GoofyIsACow · 08/01/2014 20:01

:)

Interested in this thread?

Then you might like threads about these subjects:

GinSoakedMisery · 08/01/2014 20:05

See, there you go. Your children wanted you with them. The other children might want to go and play away from their parents. Each child is different. I have three myself, my eldest and youngest were very independent from and early age, the youngest especially. The only child I had to go in with was my middle and that was mainly for a safety reason as he has SN.

So to reiterate my first post, apart from the fruit shoot and the balls there is nothing wrong with allowing your child to play in a soft play by themselves provided you are keeping an eye on them.

CJones1982 · 08/01/2014 20:13

Yes I get that some children are fine on their own and do not need a parent with them. The point of the thread was about the behaviour you mentioned. As long as they are being monitored, there's no problem and everyone's happy.

OP posts:
LittleThorinOakenshield · 08/01/2014 20:16

DS cried at the top of the slide last time I went and it's the only way out if the giant padded cell, was a tight old squeeze on the arse when I had to retrieve him.

I quite like ours. A group of boys out all the toys in the corner and told me they were on fire and I couldn't have any.

Bless.

They were quite good when DS knocked down their makeshift fire station.

Gileswithachainsaw · 08/01/2014 20:17

JUNGLE JIN

LittleThorinOakenshield · 08/01/2014 20:17

I'm not sure what's so bad about whilst.

You need to start doing those colours in mandarin and French though, slacker.

CJones1982 · 08/01/2014 20:23

I am a slacker for teaching the English language. I will do Chinese WHILST I'm there next, if EVER!! And I definitely need to incorporate another ball in my juggling act!

OP posts:
LittleThorinOakenshield · 08/01/2014 20:24

No ball, flaming bottles of fruit shoot.

CJones1982 · 08/01/2014 20:24

Classic!!

OP posts:
Buzzardbird · 08/01/2014 20:33

I would get a grasp of English first. "you're not allowed drinks in here", not your Grin only joking.

CJones1982 · 08/01/2014 20:34

Thanks buzzard, I'll have a word with apple!

OP posts:
LittleThorinOakenshield · 08/01/2014 20:37

Apple do that to me as well. Grrr.

Bluestocking · 08/01/2014 20:37

You taught your child to say "whilst"? THE HORROR.
Grabs joint from Goofy, takes soothing drag, slumps back in ball pool to contemplate the iniquity of humankind. Sits on OP's protractor and bursts into tears.

CJones1982 · 08/01/2014 20:41

Tears are unwelcome in the ball pool or you may get that look from the mums! I can always cheer you up with some juggling?

OP posts:
CJones1982 · 08/01/2014 20:42

I'm glad I have cyber friends paying me attention! Just a shame I haven't got any at soft play, it's me, not you!!

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Buzzardbird · 08/01/2014 20:44

That's because all the feral shits in there are being ignored by their mums on Mumsnet Grin

floatyflo · 08/01/2014 20:45

At least your local soft play isn't owned by a gentleman who also owns the local seedy sex shop/sex cinema.
Conflict of interest there.

Yuk.

GoofyIsACow · 08/01/2014 20:49

Grin blue!

mrscog · 08/01/2014 20:49

Hmm I've always wondered about soft play supervision. I always go in with DS 22mo as I'm always worried about his safety - bigger children flinging themselves in to the ball pit etc. I do try and let him explore independently etc. but I do follow him around in the structure etc. Also, I would be so anxious about him being kidnapped if I just let him go off the soft play areas we go to are massive and it's impossible to keep an eye on very young small children with no awareness of how to get back to you from the sidelines. What is the consensus on what age children should just be allowed in on their own - is it proportional to the size of the soft play?

CJones1982 · 08/01/2014 20:50

All the owners are odd aren't they! Well at least said soft play area is owned by a complete knob who looked at me like dirt when I just happened to mention there was wee all over the under 4's play area. He looked at me, like I'd done it!

OP posts:
GoofyIsACow · 08/01/2014 20:51

Had you CJones?

GoofyIsACow · 08/01/2014 20:51

'Whilst' you were juggling?

LittleThorinOakenshield · 08/01/2014 20:52

WEE? That's really bad.