Less than inspiring...

I took Spuddy and Fae Fae to a 1 o'clock Club yesterday (a drop-in for under 5's). It was an absolooooootely glorious Spring day, 17*C and so bright that Ashley kept complaining that his eyes were burning out and asked 

'Why is the world all yellow Mummy?'

Must be time to move to a warmer climate! 

The club is held in a brand spanking new Adventure Playground, fully kitted out with scrambling ropes, tree houses, basket swings, flying foxes, you get the idea. Plenty of stuff to do outdoors.

 So when we arrived and there was no children out I thought it must be closed. But no. There were people there, Mums and kids, all sitting inside. As Ashley would say...'How ordinary!' 

 It was so depressing. Mum's scolding one year olds for getting paint on their fingers. Toddlers being sat in corners for running inside. Crawling babies being held firmly in laps for fear they will pull books off shelves. Being placated with chocolate biscuits and bottles of milky tea. 'I've tried giving her water she just wont take it.' 

I took my two outside, took off their shoes and we frolicked and swung and slid and climbed and dug and escaped from crocodiles with two little Romanian girls, who didn't speak any English but communicated beautifully with Fae and Spuddy through play. The universal language indeed.

 Until (da da daaaaaah) the dragon emerged from his cave. Or rather the 'Playworker' (so his badge said) came out of the office and chased the girls out the gate, waving his rubbish-collecting claw at them and shooing them like they were chickens in a vege patch! 

Seems that they hadn't the money to pay, £2 each. Then the 'playworker' told me my kids weren't allowed to take their shoes off in the sand, and that I had to 'stay with' Ashley. Helicopter mum? I dont think so...

 I fall more into this catagory.

 Anyways it makes me a bit sad that this place, which is meant to inspire children to be wild and creative and free is just grinding away in the same old rut. I want to see less of this...

And more of this...

And yes, I do think the adults should be sliding too. Lead by example...