On the subject of kids/acceptable behaviour...

I don't get it either. Bet they wouldn't have a problem stopping them climbing on a piece of art (or even a piece of furniture) they'd just got for the home.

I wouldn't allow it, but then I am quite old school in my parenting. I don't believe that me saying no to my children is going to cause long term damage and 10 years on the therapists's couch ?

If they kicked off to the extent that it was impossible to enjoy things then we would leave.

Here in Liverpool we had the Lambananas for Capital of Culture 08 and there were signs by them that said 'do not climb on these' but kids and adults alike just couldn't resist the photo opportunity. They were horse sized after all...................

Again like the other thread, parents' ideas vary greatly on bringing up their children. I personally would abide by any rules set out. If the notices said don't let children climb then I wouldn't let my daughter climb but i'm a stickler for the rules and i'd also be worrying i'd be made to pay for something if it got broken lol! It's very difficult to tell your child not to do something when other children are doing it but I usually tell MissSun that they are naughty children and she should do what she's told and ignore what they're doing ?

Well, quite. It's what I was ranting about yesterday - people thinking that they are somehow exempt from the rules.

I love the Scultpure park - we went a few months back and it was chocked full of families but didn't see anyone climbing on the artwork, maybe you were unlucky or we were lucky.

I wouldn't take a young child somewhere that there was only going to be "don't touch," "don't climb," "be quiet," "stand still," or whatever the whole time - It's no fun for parent or child.

But there's plenty at the Scuplture park that you could do to direct a child's attention to and get rid of energy without climbing on the sculptures. Your friend sounds a bit lazy TBH!

Did you see the horse with the hares (IIRC) on it? R was fascinated with that, he spent ages walking round and being lifted up to look at all the different metal bits and bobs sunk into it. We wouldn't have let him climb on (even though I sincerely doubt he could have done any real damage to it).

Children being allowed to ignore rules like this is just lazy parenting. I have a theory that all children are angels...its the parents that spoil them. when I DJ at weddings I do a spot of kids stuff at the beginning of the evening. The rudeness and behaviour from some of the children is unbelieveable....but within minutes I have them saying please and thank you and hanging on my every word. Its down to expectations and setting perameters.

I think it would be a shame to deny your children of such a nice opportunity because the parent can't or won't stop their children climbing on something that is clearly not a climbing frame. Its a similar issue to when we went to a roman fort near hadrians wall over the summer. This one woman made a big show out of reading the safety sign to her children and then when they got onto the site just let their children run absolutely wild! what exactly was the point of reading the sign to the children? IMO she also did it in a very very patronising voice and her children who were about 9 seemed as though they didnt appreciate being talked to like a three year old so its no wonder they just ignored her. She also made no attempt to stop them either.

It really annoys me when some parents think theyre exempt from the rules. I don't know if its because they think they and their children are superior or because they think they will somehow damage their kids by saying no but it really really gets right on my nerves! (just to say i don't in any way think all parents are like this at all!)

I agree - its just lazy parenting to not stop your child from adhering to the rules.

In a similar situation, at the National Media Museum there is a floor for children - with exhibits designed to be touched, climbed on etc. It appalls me the number of parents who let their children climb on the other exhibits in areas where it clearly states "Do Not Touch" when they could take them to the children's area and they can climb to their hearts content!

Presumably a large part of the reason kids aren't allowed to climb on the artwork is not because they'd damage it, but because if they did fall off and break their necks the parents would sue.

I must be old fashioned too, because if the signs said not to climb on the sculptures, then I would not allow my children to climb on them. [Disclaimer: I do not have any children]. I believe children have to learn to abide by some rules and learn that this applies even when they don't like the rules. If this makes me weird / odd so be it.

I went to a lovely winter illuminated night walk at a local aborertum last year, with all kinds of lights and things rigged up. Every so often. there were discreet signs asking people not to touch the electric cables etc. Most people / children abided by this sensible request. But there were quite a few children whose parents didn't seem t care that their offspring were jumping on / swinging on / tugging the electrics and ropework. You can bet your bottom dollar these same parents would have played merry hell and wanted compensation if their precious children electrocuted themselves or hurt themselves while playing in this way.

[shakes head in bemusement]

I'm utterly anal about rules - if the sign says don't do it, don't bloody do it. (It's a blood-and-bone-Socialist thing really; there's no room for individuality, it's all about the wider interest in my book).

I took my youngest to a ball pit recently, to a birthday party. The sign said "Do not throw the balls". So I tell Ro not to throw the balls, just in case she was considering it ? But at least half of the kids there were throwing them. So I told a random couple of kids to stop doing it. Their Mums looked at me like I was an utter stiff, and carried on chatting.

Yes, I guess that must be a chunk of it.
Although the sculptures are for the most part pretty solid, they haven't been designed with children climbing on them in mind. They are not rounded, and child friendly, they have odd bits sticking out, they could hurt themselves.

L
xx

My nearly 2 and nearly 4 year old wouldn't be allowed to climb on them - the 4 YO would get it, the 2 YO wouldn't, so he'd have to be removed from the situation or strapped into the buggy. This is what we had to do last weekend at Stourhead when he wanted to climb on chairs, touch antiques etc etc - I just took him outside.

Yes, I effing hate this too.

In Legoland there are loads of huge models, all with signs on asking that they're not climbed on. So my children aren't allowed to climb on them - no a problem. But then whilst we're looking at them there are a dozen kids all climbing on them, it makes my job **** harder. How do I explain to a 4 year old that he's not allowed to climb on something, when lots of other kids are, without giving him some sort of inferiority complex than he's somehow less worthy to climb on the models than others.

Some parents astounding ability to convince themselves that the entire universe resolves, not just around children, but THEIR children and their children alone makes my blood boil.

Phew.

I'm exactly the same! I usually turn into the ball police and tell everyone off ? I have been known to collect all the balls and throw them back once the party is over ?

In response to the OP, I always follow any rules and make sure my daughter (and step children) do too.

I'm another stickler and another YSP lover.

BTW, if anyone wants their child to have a go climbing on a Henry Moore, they positively encourage it at Snape Maltings (or always used to).

I agree, my daughter may whine and moan when I say no but I won't put up with that behaviour.

That's what we do. Strap them in the buggy or take them away from the area/object etc asap. Actually if they even hint of being a pain i strap them in before anything happens. I dread being told off by other parents concerning bad behaviour.

And believe it or not i do the same JK. I am overly strict concerning rules as anyone who knows me here in rl and has seen me with my children will know.

A pet hate of mine is seeing groups of mothers at soft play having coffee mornings and take no notice of what their children are doing.

And yes i agree they probably don't want people climbing over/on the art because they're not safe, and have no insurrance. Yes i do think it spoils things for others to a degree. If a child sees another child doing something they think it's okay to do it themselves.

In all honesty, I wouldn't take Josh somewhere like that until he's a bit older. He's 21 months at the moment, and much as I love taking him places and showing him things to stimulate him...he just wants to run and climb atthe moment. The whole world is a playground to him. I don't have a problem taking him places where I have to say 'No', and he hears it a fair bit ! ? But I try to avoid places where I'll struggle to find at least a 50% balance on things he'll love and be able to do and things he won't.

Caitlin's always been a different child, and took 'No' as a sensible answer, rather than a personal attack.

Maybe if Josh had better communication skills, it'd be easier, but currently he has no words, which frustrates him as he's really at an age where he should have some now! Maybe he's just a headstrong child and it'll take a few more years to bash that out of him!

I don't understand parents who can't be bothered enforcing good behaviour and conforming to the rules. I know it can be hard, and I really hate the screaming fits I get sometimes when 'No' is the only answer I can give, but I won't give up. I do 'pick my battles', but not in that way. If we're in public and someone has deemed it necessary to put a sign up asking you to behave a certain way to protect their property or enhance eevryones enjoyment of an area...I want my children to understand and follow those directions.

Don't be put off YSP, small-child-people! It's huge- acres and acres of room for running about without getting anywhere near a sculpture. It's not like taking a toddler to a museum where you have to keep saying no- it's ideal for young children because there is so much space.

Another one who is anal about signs.

When we go somewhere like Kew Gardens or Hampton court and there are "Keep off the grass" signs - my son has to keep off the grass - no discussion or arguement, just a "do as I say" look from me!

I agree it is hugely frustrationg when there are other children trampling over newly seeded areas etc, but the signs are there for a reason as far as I'm concerned.

Thanks for that!

In that case, he'd be fine tbh. So long as he's had a run about, he'll walk quite nicely or sit happily and chill in the buggy. I was picturing an enclosed museum with a metre or so between exhibits!

We live near YSP and go quite a bit with a toddler, theres loads of stuff that amuzes her and so far she hasn't shown any interest in climbing on the sculptures, but theres no way we would ignore her if she did. It's such a shame people cannot respect a few simple rules, and it does make it harder when some children are allowed to do things, asthen they all want to do it.

However, if you ever see the geese being chased by a small, noisy little girl and a harrased looking mum, that'll be us...

Well of course if it says don't climb on things then toddler wouldn't be allowed to climb on things. I'm also nasty in that I make him stick to rules even if others aren't; luckily my friend who we tend to do toddler things with is a super-strict parent as well - and she's a childminder, so her minded children toe the line too. We've often been the only ones in soft play or whatever telling our children not to throw balls etc. Friend did once run up to the top of the climbing frame at soft play to berate a group of children who were picking on one of the children who were with us. Their parents were sitting having coffee, chatting etc, oblivious to the fact that their 4 year old girls were repeatedly pushing a strange 1 year old boy over because "we don't like boys".

I was expecting the parents to come and have words with us, but they contented themselves with buying their little darlings ice cream, drying their tears and talking loudly about how horrible some people are ?

Oh - Snape Maltings - yes. We have the obligatory photo of toddler peering through the top hole of the sculpture whilst climbing on it. Thought it was a Barbara Hepworth, but might be HM! I'd love to go to the YSP, have to put it on the list.

PL, a google reveals that the HM has been removed https://www.flickr.com/groups/suffolk/discuss/72157594326273771/ but the BH is still there.

I'm a stickler for the rules and my daughter who's 25 months isn't allowed to climb etc.

However, my mum (who has her 1 day a week) isn't one to stick to the rules. There is a lovely park near us with beautiful gardens where is says to stay off the grass, but my mum lets her on it even though we have asked her not to. Izzy tries to do the same when she's with us but she gets told no in no uncertain terms.

WJannaS

Another if it says no climbing it means no climbing and do what the signs say or incur my wrath parent here.