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Parenting

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Original poster

trampoline dilemma - do you let all the neighbours children use yours?

51 replies

shrub · 16/08/2005 21:20

we bought a trampoline for our ds's (5 and 2 years) which they love. the problem at the beginning was our next door neighbours daughter wanting to use it, not a friend of ds and was also expecting my 3rd baby so explained not at the moment as i would find it difficult supervising other peoples children/health and safety etc. she said no problem - she would supervise! (don't really want other people in my gardenstill said no but gradually over the holidays felt like the selfish giant and in order to be more sociable having only lived here a year relented and now have all the children from the surrounding neighbourhood all wanting to go on it - not only get the neighbours children but their friends aswell who aren't even friends of ds. they don't even say 'can we play with *?' they just come out with 'can we play on the trampoline?' feel i should have been more assertive from the beginning as find it difficult to say no at the best of times especially to children. when i say not at the moment etc. they then just stare over the wall and watch us using it!
anyone had this problem?

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Gobbledigook · 16/08/2005 21:23

OMG poor you!!

You just have to put your foot down - I wouldn't have this at all. YOu don't have to have a reason, it's your house! Just say 'no sorry, not today' and keep saying it till they give up!

BLoody cheek!! I hate the way some parents don't put themselves in your shoes. No way would I let my children pester someone for a go on their trampoline!

assumedname · 16/08/2005 21:24

How horrible for you.

I'd put up some trellis so they can't see!

fqueenzebra · 16/08/2005 21:28

Next time anyone turns up asking, say "No, I'm sorry, it's too much for me I've decided that only people in the family can go on our trampolene."

So what about next time your DS has a playmate around? It's your trampolene, you can make up any rules you like about who uses it and when -- that includes any playmates of your DS when they come over. Other children are barred, end of discussion.

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twirlaround · 16/08/2005 21:29

Tell them you are scared someone will hurt themselves badly and that you have read about this happening...there could be injuries in the future which will be worse than if you are firm now?

Gobbledigook · 16/08/2005 21:31

ANd actually - the injury thing is not that daft an excuse. It is quite common for children to fall awkwardly and break their arm - you don't know whether a mum that said they could go on it is going to turn round later and blame you. So actually from a liabilty point of view, you'd be right to say 'bog off' to unwelcome scavengers!!!

katymac · 16/08/2005 21:32

Well my situation is different as I'm a childminder. But my rule is no-one on the trampoline unless their parent is with them or they have signed to say I'm not liable.
But that might not work for you....

hunkermunker · 16/08/2005 21:32

Tell them that it's a quid a bounce.

fqueenzebra · 16/08/2005 21:36

Good point, Gdg -- my cousin's middle boy broke his arm on their trampolene at home.

Jimjams · 16/08/2005 22:05

gosh that sounds like a nightmare. We have a trampoline but only have our ds' s and friends on there. i would be having kittens if random children were on there. Could you pop round and talk to the adults and say that you're worried as the kids are getting over-excited so you've decided to put a bit of a ban on it for a while. Alternatively I guess just tell the children "no".

HOw are things btw - trampolines excepted- haven't talked for ages!

Littlestarsweeper · 16/08/2005 22:10

Trampolines are arm,leg and neck breakers and can even cause loss of use of limbs, couldnt spell the P word EVEN DEATH. Thats what it says on my instructions. Not wise unless mother is there for child. I dont allow any more than 1 child on it at a time. Oh i do have a safety net too.

assumedname · 16/08/2005 22:11

Well that's put me off, LSS!

morningpaper · 16/08/2005 22:13

I'd recommend digging it into the ground. You'll need to hire a mini-digger. They can do themselves a lot less damage that way.

Jimjams · 16/08/2005 22:14

although when I spoke to a trampoline place they said the net was safer and easier.

morningpaper · 16/08/2005 22:16

That's because they were flogging you the net

Littlestarsweeper · 16/08/2005 22:16

I know, it was delivered by the time i discovered just how bad they can be. Most injuries occur because of multiple bouncing misplacing of feet and bodies clashing others are as a result of hitting the floor. Which is why i invested in a safety net.

goosey · 16/08/2005 22:17

It is entirely probable that any parent whose child becomes injured through bouncing on your trampoline would sue you for inadequate protection or supervision. I would say a big no I really would.

Jimjams · 16/08/2005 22:18

nah I didn't buy from them they had some advice page. No seriously they said you can't fall off with a net whereas you can with it dug into the ground (they had some sort instructions on their webpage) And its true you can't fall off with a net providing its zipped up.....

fqueenzebra · 16/08/2005 22:20

My cousin's trampolene has a safety net, think the boy just fell awkwardly. I wouldn't consider one without safety net....

DS1 has discovered how to do somersaults and I am not best pleased, am still trying to assess how dangerous this is. May take him back to trampolene classes (local) so they can coach him how to somersault safely.

We do let them more than one on at a time (that's 99% the fun), but am still monitoring.....

Original poster

shrub · 16/08/2005 22:21

wow - thanks for all your replies!
lol hunkermunker, i could say i'll put it towards the public liability insurance
jimjams - still standing! though ds3 is teething already so computer is in the cupboard most of the time. how are you and the boys?
would find it hard saying to the adults about ban - they would think it wildly unsociable as most are steiner families and its all about community iykwim. today was the last straw when one child who came along with a neighbours child said my ds's drawing was rubbish, our house smelled of wee(3 boys anyone!?) and my dh had the hair of a clown!! ( laughing now but earlier this evening we were talking about taking the trampoline down) just want a quiet life

OP posts:

cod · 16/08/2005 22:21

Message withdrawn

Jimjams · 16/08/2005 22:24

OH dear Steiner families! Could you tell them they should be doing something creative Or put a TV in your garden? Community has its drawbacks.

We're all well- went in search of the ship the other day with ds2 and ds3, but got hopelessly lost and couldn't find it!

cod · 16/08/2005 22:24

Message withdrawn

fqueenzebra · 16/08/2005 22:29

How unpopular would you be shrub, if you turned them away (for any of the resons we've suggested)? And do you really care? Sorry, but does sound like Steiner is about taking the P!

Original poster

shrub · 16/08/2005 22:33

the irony most of them our secret tv watchers - our next door neigbour from our old house watched big brother at full volume and swore like troopers. i remember it rather liberating at the time as i was desperately trying to be a perfect steiner mum carding wool and knitting gnomes. recently been told that football was banned until recently as steiner believed the ball represents the human head - still interested in some of his ideas but its the ways his ideas get interpreted especially the idea of children and freedom around here
pirate ship is on the quay - the biggest thing there - unless they've moved it

OP posts:

fqueenzebra · 16/08/2005 22:37

WEll, STeiner ideas have always struck me as complete airy-fairy claptrap -- and yet, we didn't have a tv for six years, DH got a tv card in the computer recently & I still don't like it at all, blech....

I guess you'll come to a solution that suits you. But obviously the kids treating your trampolene as communtal space is a problem for you, and the other parents should respect your right to decide that.

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