So I was at a sprinker park today with a group of friends and our kids. Some of the kids from our group were filling up water bottles from the sprinkler fountains then taking it over to the slide and pouring it down to make it more slippery and fun. These two other mothers that were there starting yelling at our kids because they felt that was dangerous. So, we told the kids to stop pouring the water down the slide and they did. However, they were continuing to get their bodies wet in the sprinklers then go down the slide. Again, these other moms yelled at them and told them they were not allowed to go down the slide when they were wet. We told them they were being ridiculous and they told us we were endangering their kids by letting our get the slide wet. First of all, it's a SPRINKLER PARK. If you don't want your kids getting wet, or getting on wet equipment, go to a different park. Every time I've been to a sprinkler park, the equipment is all wet. So we basically told them to stop telling our kids what to do, and that they could leave if they didn't like it. They told us we were irresponsible. So I'm curious. What do you all think?
To answer some of your questions: No, the fountain part was not fenced off and it was in very close proximity to the playground equipment. I have been to some where the sprinkler part is fenced off and kind of far, and kids still run back and forth and get the slides all wet. I know that, so I don't take my kids to those parks if I want to keep them dry. There are oodles of parks where I live and most of them do not have the water feature. We couldn't understand why these moms went so crazy when they could've taken their kids to a dry park.
Jessica, I would LOVE it if they posted their side of the story. Then I could re-educate them on how stupid they were :) JK!
And no, this wasn't a shouting match. The only yelling that was done was when the other moms yelled at our kids. We spoke to them in fairly calm, quiet tones. Nobody swore, so I don't think it was setting a bad example for the kids.
Was the slide UNDER the sprinkler? If not, it's probably supposed to stay dry. The sprinkler park and playground may have been different entities.
If there weren't any signs saying to keep the slide dry the I think your kids were ok.
I think it's fair to ask them not to pour water down the slide, but not to tell your kids they couldn't slide if their bodies were wet. Even though it's a sprinkler park, not everyone goes with the intent of getting soaked. And while pouring a full bottle of water down the slide does get it pretty wet (and therefore soaking others who aren't in bathing suits), a wet body sliding down does not leave the slide that wet.
Is the slide part of the sprinkler park? B/c we have a sprinkler park and a slide, but the slide is next to it and water is not a part of the slide fixture, so it is not technically part of the splash park. Splash park fixtures that are meant to be wet have the water literally splashing that item. If the slide is dry, it is not meant to be wet. Obviously, wet clothing is unavoidable in a splash park, but purposely dumping water on it is a technically a no-no.
Really, I think you are both wrong. Your kids could have stayed in the water part of the park and let the other kids go down the dry slide. I agree, a slippery slide is dangerous. But the other moms shouldn't have freaked out on you. I'm sure they had mama bear instincts just like you do right now. perhaps some respect on both your parts could have gone a long ways and taught your kids something valuable about sharing a space effectively as well.
You mean the park where the water spray section is fenced off from the playground...Well in my book you were in the wrong. To me this is obvious on who is wrong...you. I have been to many parks like this and yes they are close together but they are still seperate entities. a dry park and a water park. You give your child an option play in the water or play on dry land not both...
Update: Lady they took their kids to a dry park...you made it wet! You are the one being rude.
Give me a bucket so I can go too!!!
Eh, it depends on the rules that were posted and where the slide actually was. Yes, the other moms were pretty rude considering you and your friends were right there keeping an eye on all of your own children. They should have approached you to discuss it rather than immediately shouting at your kids and being so judgmental.
Although wouldn't it be funny if they end up posting here tomorrow? I always wonder what the other side of these issues would actually be sometimes. :-)
You are right. It is a water park. And the other mothers should not be yelling at your kids. However, this might've turned out differently if you'd been polite as well as being direct. Sounds like the adults had a yelling match. Not good! Poor example for the kids.
You tried to compromise by stopping the kids from pouring water on the slide. That's good enough. You were not being irresponsible and you were trying to get along.
I would have calmly but firmly told the mothers that you would manage your kids and they could manage theirs. Remind them, in a polite voice that it is a sprinkler park. Remind them that If they thought it was unsafe then they can tell their kids to not go down the slide. That you're at the park for the kids to enjoy getting wet. After having said that once, I would've completely ignored them and told my children to do the same
If they continued to harass me and my children I would leave the park. Yes, it's unfair. But you cannot control them, just as they cannot control you. Sometimes it's just more advantageous to leave. It;s better than getting into a fight.
I have had parents tell me that I was irresponsible because I allowed my grandchildren to climb on the outside of the play structure's slide. It's irritating. I've just told them it's OK with me and then walked away. No one has tried to convince me tho I've gotten dirty looks. That's there problem. Their responsibility is to supervise their children and if they don't want them to climb on the outside they can tell them. Yes, it makes it harder to supervise when one kid is allowed and other's are not. When it's an organized group such as at school there have to be rules consistent for everyone but when it's a public park, everyone is responsible only for their own children.
Lets see it is hot enough outside that kids are going between sprinklers and a slide without being cold? How the heck long did it even take for that slide to dry off, 30 seconds?
I think you were very polite, they don't own the playground and don't have the right to dictate how the equipment is used. Some people really think the world revolves around their opinions and needs, you just seemed to have ran into a couple of them.
Some people seriously need to get a life. This sounds like the sprinkler park in Geneva that I go to all the time. Even though the park part is not too far from the sprinkler part, kids are constantly doing what your kids and your friends' kids did. If they want their kids to go to a regular park, then they should've left - or tell their kids to just stay in the sprinkler part. They had absolutely no right to yell at you and your friends.
If the slide is in the sprinkler park, they are totally wrong.
I am shocked they were so bold to keep after your kids. Good for you to put them in their place.
I would have told my kids to not get on the slide while wet. They do go down much faster and a broken neck or back is not something I would want to risk. It was dangerous but they should have not told your kids what to do, only their own.
I would have handed those moms a couple of towels and told them they could dry it off after my kids went down and before their kids did!
I've been to wet parks, and though I don't allow MY children to get water all over the dry part of the playground, I know other children will be doing so, and I just roll with it. Seriously, what else can a reasonable adult expect when there is water within 20 yards?!
There are lots of sprinkler parks where I live, and sadly I have observed that, depending on the temperature about 1/3 to 1/2 of the parents at the park don't want their children to get wet. They expect the rest of us to respect and uphold their decision. At least in this area the unwritten rule seems to be that outside of the water play area is a dry zone, but inside of it is fair game. Though, yes, I have had a parent get mad at me because they allowed their child to go in the water area and my kid got theirs wet. Even worse is the helicopter mom who insists on following her child into the water area expecting not to get wet - or the dumb dumb goes in there with an expensive camera....I could go on.
