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Shall I go to soft play

(39 Posts)
c0nfused Sun 10-Mar-24 11:52:18

Hallo
For various reasons there have been no plans to see my three children this mothers day: one is travelling and sent his regards, my two daughters didn't mention it so I didn't either. They have other commitments. Also my partner is away for the weekend arriving back this pm. I had a busy Saturday so have bought myself some flowers and planned to get jobs done.

Nicely I have just had an invite to go out with one daughter who is babysitting her toddler niece while other daughter's partner takes her out for the afternoon. I would love to see them but they are going to soft play. I really don't like the echoing noise of soft play esp on a wet afternoon, and tbh I have avoided it gladly ever since my own children were 6. I also feel its a one-adult activity. I think I would feel embarrassedly helicopterish to be one of two adults crawling through the soft play watching my gc (three if my partner comes too). Her auntie is enough for her.

Do I just go cos its nice to be invited, or give it a miss and see them another time?

The fact that its mothers day is just being a nuisance here; I dont want to seem ungrateful to be invited but also its not an activity I would choose.

SueBdoo70 Mon 11-Mar-24 13:41:13

I would just go because it’s lovely to be invited. They grow up so quickly, make the most of every opportunity. Take your earplugs to wear while you enjoy your drink and watching the child have fun 🤩

HelterSkelter1 Mon 11-Mar-24 13:51:09

Did you go after all c0nfused? Good time??

Sara1954 Mon 11-Mar-24 14:02:01

Yes it’s incredibly unhygienic, I dread to think what bodily fluids are all over the sofa covers, not to mention various foods and drinks, my daughter and I have often said that if you opened a really high end soft play, spotlessly clean, decent toilets, healthy cafe, no awful fried food smells. You could make a bomb, but I suppose it would only be like that for the first half an hour every day.

Davisuz Mon 11-Mar-24 16:12:00

I tend to avoid them if I can, preferring outdoor play. This is since my close friend caught Covid after a session there with her grandchildren and was really poorly. They are hot bed of germs!

Bugbabe2019 Mon 11-Mar-24 16:40:03

Very strange dynamic going on here!

Kim19 Mon 11-Mar-24 16:55:03

For my C or GC I go anywhere anytime.

RosiesMaw Mon 11-Mar-24 18:58:26

JollySailor

When our grandchildren were youngsters, I was 60 years old, I spent many a Saturday afternoon crawling through ball pits, swinging on ropes and sliding down shoots. I was shattered when it was all over but the grandchildren had a great time.

I’m not sure soft plays are insured for grannies swinging on ropes or sliding down chutes.
They are designed for small children not would be Tarzan lookalike grans!
Perhaps some agile (and slim) young mums go through the obstacles with their little ones but OMG the vision of a Gran or grandad landing in the ball pit beggars belief.

Desdemona Mon 11-Mar-24 19:02:45

Oreo

I wouldn’t go but up to you.By now you will either have gone or not but soft play areas are hellish IMO and what thought has been given to you as a Mum, it’s hardly a treat to be invited to this.

I agree. Spilled orange squash makes the tables sticky and the whole place smells of feet - not to mention the horrendous noise!

Saggi Mon 11-Mar-24 22:00:38

I have attended many functions involving my two grandkids….as thier parents bard ‘ a teacher’ and ‘school counsellor’….so they have to be atvgier respective schools and NOT with the grandkids….ive watched awful Carol concerts ….plays….recirder recitals…..drumming recital….spirts day….attended doctors apps….dentists….and one regular hospital checkup with granddaughter!
None of which I would choose ….all of which I was willing to do, because I love the lot of them and wanted to be there to help my daughter and to see what , in my state of health , could always be my last sighting of them. Go to soft play …and enjoy their company.

c0nfused Wed 27-Mar-24 18:46:53

I did, and had a nice time. And got a cold!
We found the toddler area which was much calmer. Ended up with 4 of us and one child so we could all chat.

Poppy62 Tue 02-Apr-24 18:23:42

Hi COnFused, you should make all decisions mentally about you I think, I don't mean this selfishly but try and arrange an outing about you.
..if you do decide to go, take bagfuls of antibacterial wetwipes. Those places are full of bacteria spreaders

ElaineI Tue 02-Apr-24 18:55:03

Been frequently to softplay with DGS who turned 6 on Easter Sunday. He loves it and usually makes a friend. I don't have to crawl around now just keep an eye on him. Today he wanted to go swimming and the water was freezing! It's always been coolish for many years but oh boy! Next week will probably be softplay unless the weather improves. I usually take him to a nearby country park in the Easter break but been wet and cold this year so far.

petra Tue 02-Apr-24 19:01:08

Poppy62

Hi COnFused, you should make all decisions mentally about you I think, I don't mean this selfishly but try and arrange an outing about you.
..if you do decide to go, take bagfuls of antibacterial wetwipes. Those places are full of bacteria spreaders

The invite was for Mother’s Day. It’s long gone.