WWYD?

preston18

I was at the BelleSq play area today and while it wasn't crowded (for once) there were several big boys (9ish) way over the height limit running around with sticks.

So I call security.

I just don't feel comfortable telling other people's kids what to do and was not about to ask all the parents if those were their kids.  The parents weren't there anyway. I guess they sent the children up there while they shopped.

On one hand I feel bad for calling (rent-a) cops on kids just playing ont eh other, i don't want my LO or anyone else's getting hurt.

coribecca

It always annoys me when big kids play rough in that play area.  I wouldn't mind if they were well-behaved and supervised, but that's almost never the case.  The mall security really should keep an eye on the area and enfore the rules without having to be asked, but I've never seen them up there.

It's pretty dangerous for kids who are only 9 or so to be there unattended.  I'd call security for that reason alone.

cwhip77

I think you're awesome.  It really irritates us when older kids are rough housing in the kid's areas.  I guess they're just being kids, but they don't think to watch out for the little babies and it just gets dangerous.  Mikayla was almost kicked in the HEAD the other day by an older kid who was actin' a fool on a climbing toy.  We grabbed her and moved her.  I'd love to be ballsy enough to call security but I'm probably too non-confrontational, I'd probably just leave.  Although I've never been faced with a gang with sticks!

... on a related note, I love how BellSquare and just kid's areas in general are so much calmer and more empty now that school is in, big difference!

Seattle_JiLLn

I would have talked to the kids and said that they were too big and that they especially shouldn't be playing with sticks.   OR, actually more than likely, I would have asked them where their parents were and talked to the parents.  And if I had found out the parents weren't there at all, I would have told the kids what the issue was.  

But waht absolute BS that their parents werent' even there with them.   Not cool at all.

IkesHawaiian06

I was at the mall the other night and it was so quiet and calm, maybe 6 toddler age kids, when all of a sudden three 8-10 year old boys come running in, strip off their shoes and start climbing and jumping off everything and wrestling around. I immediately went to Em to keep her a little safe. A friend of mine happened to walk by and stopped to say hi and by the time I turned to look at Em, one of the boys almost knocked her over! So I said to my friend, "If one of those boys hits my kid, I'm going to kill'em with my bare hands. I hate when kids that are too big come in here - they're going to hurt someone." I didn't think I said it very loud, but the boys left right after that.... Probably not smart the threaten their lives, but I'm growing more irritated with parents that let their kids run amuck (sp?) in the play area when they are clearly too big. Although there was no one with these boys, they came in on their own.

 For what it's worth, I would have DEFINITELY said something to someone if there were boys playing with sticks or anything like that. You need to protect your kids and if nobody else has the balls to say something, then I'm glad you did. I agree with whoever it was that said that the mall security needs to be around the play areas more.

kaskade

I'm not a mom yet, but I am used to confronting people.  If I'd been there with my younger nephews, I would have been all over those kids.  I would have tried parents first, then the kids themselves if there were no parents around.  My little nephews would have thought the big boys were cool with their sticks, and would have followed them around.  It would have been a recipe for disaster because I'm sure the older boys were not thinking about consequences or that little kids are not as tough!

kattyleigh

You definitely did the right thing!  That is the security guards' job.  It's not your responsibility to discipline other people's crazy kids but it is your responsibility to protect your own!