Are your children’s vaccines up to date?

Set a reminder

Please or to access all these features

Parenting

For free parenting resources please check out the Early Years Alliance's Family Corner.

Older kids in baby area- what’s an acceptable way to handle this?

28 replies

Jadeywithababy · 14/08/2023 13:58

I wonder if some more experienced mums can give me some advice here - I took my baby (nearly 10 months old) to soft play today. We’ve been a couple of times before and he loved it but it’s very different now the school holidays have started. We were in the baby area for 36 months and under and he was having a lovely time but more and more boisterous older kids (I’m bad at guessing ages but maybe between 6 and 9) kept coming in and running riot. I kept having to take my baby away from the things he was playing with because it wasn’t safe with the older kids barrelling past him and eventually we just left because he was getting upset to be moved to safety so often. What is the socially acceptable thing to do in this situation? Should I say something to the kids themselves, try to find their parents or say something to the staff? I don’t want to upset anyone or make a scene but equally they’re breaking the rules and my baby missed out because of it. It would be such a shame to not be able to go during the holidays because this is one of the few activities still available (all our groups stop for summer) and the parks we usually go to are similarly chaotic now. What would you advise?

OP posts:
Are your children’s vaccines up to date?
Jadeywithababy · 14/08/2023 20:12

Disgruntledpelicanlady · 14/08/2023 17:03

I don't have the answer but completely sympathise! This is my pet hate.
I got to make a point yesterday while still avoiding confrontation which felt wonderful!
My daughter is 13 months so still uses the baby area in many places but the soft play we frequent has a baby area with a very clear sign up saying non-walkers only.
Yesterday she tried to climb in (along with the 6 or 7 year olds already in there 🙄) and I loudly said "no darling, that's for babies who can't walk yet. We need to go play somewhere else". Cue dirty looks from the parents of the older girls but I don't see why the rules only apply to some people!

😂 That must have felt so satisfying!!

OP posts:
Qilin · 14/08/2023 23:20

Jadeywithababy · 14/08/2023 14:11

Thanks everyone, I will practice my teacher voice for next time! I agree, they didn’t seem like nasty kids, just too big for the area.

Practise 'the look' too. The voice combined with the look will generally do the trick, fairly quickly.

Can work with your own children and partners too WinkGrin

inloveandmarried · 14/08/2023 23:29

I always used to say something or stand and block the gate in, so only the under three could get through.

Children not being supervised won't bother with rules if they are excited and playing. So you do need to take action.

New posts on this thread. Refresh page