howard mcsweeney1- Location: Dover
- Registered: 12 Mar 2008
- Posts: 62,352
marek
you sound like my neighbour and his mate when they have their daughters around every second weekend.
they wear baseball caps with the logo "cash machine" on.
always makes me laugh when people(myself included) say that "todays" kids think money grows on trees.
kids have always been like that, nothing really changes.
DT1- Location: Dover
- Registered: 15 Apr 2008
- Posts: 1,116
When does it open?
Guest 648- Registered: 12 Mar 2008
- Posts: 258
Pencester Play area officially opened tomorrow 11.00am
Guest 662- Registered: 18 Mar 2008
- Posts: 325
Well what can I say great facilities. I took my 5 year old down there last night whilst the eldest was at the Watersports Centre.
We found it difficult to get on any of the equipment due to the large number of teenagers who had taken over. Myself and another parent were verbally abused in front of our children when we asked them to take their turn and allow the younger ones a go and eventually we left as did another parent. All of us with disappointed children.
I found the whole experience stressful, intimidating and will not be returning anytime soon.
I searched the area for a phone number I could ring to get some help but there was none in sight and as for the CCTV cameras - just what is the point.
Michelle x
Guest 645- Registered: 12 Mar 2008
- Posts: 4,463
Sheli
What a terrible experience that must have been for you and your family.Maybe it requires a sign stating the ages of the children allowed on the equipment.I know in my home town in the 60's there was a notice 1 - 13 yrs only.Also you raise a good point about an emergency telephone number to be displayed in the event of incidents like yours and any accidents.
As for the CCTV I have given up all hope on those bloody things.
Marek
I think therefore I am (not a Tory supporter)
howard mcsweeney1- Location: Dover
- Registered: 12 Mar 2008
- Posts: 62,352
i noticed that there is no sign saying what ages are invited in.
what is the point of getting the lottery people to fund this wonderful facility, if people cannot take a 5 year old there to enjoy it?
blood is reaching boiling point.
Too easy to blame the kids, sorry. I really do understand the frustration - a lovely play area for the very young and some lippy unpleasant, probably smelly, teenager and his mates intimidate you away. Not good. But first, and I know you know this, not all teenagers are like that. In fact, even the ones who are like that really aren't but just act it. Peer pressure and a sense of dislocation can do that to you. Second, what is there for the older kids to do? I know we whinge on about teenagers, and moan about having to provide something for them, but we don't whinge about (or shouldn't whinge about) providing stuff for elders, people with disabilities, toddlers, other vulnerable people, so I don't think we should crib about providing stuff for one of the most vulnerable groups, adolescents. Adolescents are way more than 4 times more likely to kill themselves than be stabbed to death - puts knife crime into perspective. Self harm rockets during adolescence and can cause life-long emotional health damage. Those blooming hormones run riot and cause immeasurable mood swings and self hatred.......what a horrible time!! But to balance that out, those same people can be charming, funny, engaging, amusing, and so interesting! Let's cherish them - some Mothers son or daughter...............
Guest 674- Registered: 25 Jun 2008
- Posts: 3,391
bern
your right there is no excuse for teenagers acting like they did, but i cold take you around the town and find senior citezens who feel the world owes them a favour and can be very rude.
not all of them of course so its not an age fing
DT1- Location: Dover
- Registered: 15 Apr 2008
- Posts: 1,116
Went down again today, lots of kids of all ages and parents down there. Had a great hour, bit of a chat to people. There were some 14ish aged kids that were playing alongside the younger one and although this isn't ideal, they weren't abusive in anyway. It is so hard to place exactly what the age of users should be. Sheli your experience sounds awful and my wife said she experienced some poor behaviour earlier today.
As I said I took my son (aged 3) ...for the second time of the day! And we actually had more problems with the young children there with their parents than with the teenagers, that were on the whole, quite courteous. I personally enjoy these spaces and one of the joys of having children is being able to go on things like this (aswell as dusting off the Hornby set) A boy claiming to be 15 (I have never met before) asked me what I thought of it and I replied "Good, I just hope that it is looked after" He then went on to say that he thought maybe he might be too old. I said that I wouldn't be bothered if everyone was as polite as him.
I find it very hard to make complete sense of the arrangement and do feel torn. Much as I would love for it to be the sole property of children of my son's age, I also appreciate that it is stimulating enough to entice older children (because it entices me!). I like seeing 15 year olds acting like children and although practically adults, they should be allowed to act in this way. Yes I told a teenager to pick up their rubbish and another for swearing, but thankfully didn't the negative response that Sheli did, largely due to the fact there were so many parents there. I did have one parent recklessly throwing their child up the zip-line, and another who seemed to actively encouraging their child to queue jump, which seemed to be sorted out with some mild sarcasm. These are the people we should target (easier said than done sometimes if the're massive of intimidating!) but hopefully in the large numbers of well behaved some of this can be suppressed. (ever the optimist on these matters)
I think I will go again in the morning.
Guest 677- Registered: 8 Jul 2008
- Posts: 150
I know not all teenagers are abusive, agressive and generally unpleasant but I'm in two minds as to whether we shouldn't be a little more hard line. When I was a teenager there wasn't much for us to do in the town I lived in. There was a small cinema (which Dover has and could use the custom) and occasionally the night clubs would do an under 18 night where there was absolutely no alcohol allowed and enough bouncers to ensure that none was smuggled in. I never got into trouble or felt it necessary to hang around street corners shouting abuse at people just because they want to use facilities. My friends and I spent time at each others houses talking and we used our imaginations to find ways to stop the boredom.
I know teenagers have been getting into trouble since the year dot but I do think it's getting a bit out of hand. Moreover it gives those teenagers who do behave like young responsible adults a bad time because they feel tarred with the same brush.
Of course this opinion will probably come and bite me on the backside when my kids become teenagers.
It's not the man in my life, its the life in my man!!
You'd better believe it Stephanie!!!!!! I have four teenagers, God Help Me! Their friends are without exception charming and courteous and lovely company. There are bumpy paths at times but overall the young people I know, even the ones with what are now called "issues", are worth spending time with and worth cherishing. And YOU ARE NEVER TOO OLD TO PLAY!!!!!! Those youngsters hanging around the play area probably want to do just that and PLAY!!!!!!!!! Me too!!
P.S. - if you do see a fat old blonde bird throwing herself around on the play equipment, that's me!!!!!!!
DT1- Location: Dover
- Registered: 15 Apr 2008
- Posts: 1,116
Very true and I totally agree the bad ones do tarnish the good, as I said I find it hard to form a complete idea as to how we need to address the issue. But the the teenagers are only the 'effect'
The reality is Stephanie that you probably won't get bitten on the backside, because although teenagers are at times all moody it is their prerogative) and have numerous hiccups, they generally have the same outlooks as their parents (of course there are always exceptions) but as a rule good people have good teenagers.
Guest 677- Registered: 8 Jul 2008
- Posts: 150
I haven't got a problem with teenagers wanting to play (although there might be a weight issue with equipment meant for 12 and under being used by older kids, but that's something for experts to tell off) but I do have a problem with them denying, through their behaviour, younger children being able to play on the equipment.
I'm sure that most teenagers are like the one's you describe Bern and I really hope that mine turn out to be like that too (cos if they don't I will lay the blame squarely at my own door). I'd just like to see a few more examples of those teenagers instead of the other ones, please (manners at all times)
It's not the man in my life, its the life in my man!!
Guest 677- Registered: 8 Jul 2008
- Posts: 150
Bern, I didn't see your second posting before I started mine, I hope you don't find the weight comment offensive (you just described me too, incidently)
It's not the man in my life, its the life in my man!!
Guest 677- Registered: 8 Jul 2008
- Posts: 150
Oh good, I didn't want to get suspended from the forum I'd have to spend the evening talking to my husband, that's when he's home of course and not on the forum himself.
It's not the man in my life, its the life in my man!!
howard mcsweeney1- Location: Dover
- Registered: 12 Mar 2008
- Posts: 62,352
i think that we may have wandered off of the point a bit here.
michelle took a 5 year old to an area where it was supposed to be safe.
the opposite was the case, the thread is not anti teens, just stressing that the facility was for our smaller population.
keith makes a valid point about some of our older citizens bring obnoxious.
they soon get banned from pubs, rightly so.
why is that badly behaved adolescents can do what they want with impunity?
when a 5 year old gets onto a swing or see-saw, it is quite terrifying when a 13 year old does the same.
DT1- Location: Dover
- Registered: 15 Apr 2008
- Posts: 1,116
Yes I am still recovering from when I saw a 13 year old on a swing once.
I am still traumatised by a similar event when a 13 year old sat on the roundabout in the playground I was walking past. My counsellor says I am making good progress though.
