Ikea Play Area

[Anonymous]

We first dropped our twins off at 4y. It was in the AM and they had a good time playing in there.

[Anonymous]

PP-I don't really care if people drop their kids off at smallland, but, if you can't watch your kid and shop at the same time, you're pretty inept.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Let's call me COMMON.SENSE mom! I really just never understood how someone can walk into a store and literally drop off their kid to strangers and go shopping. You really trust these people to keep your kid safe and not let them accidentally walk out the door with someone else. just crazy, I tell you.

And I am COMMON SENSE dad! How can you really shop and adequately keep an eye on your LO without disturbing other shoppers. Or are you the one whose kids are running around jumping on the couches and running in front of me to sit on the chair that I am considering buying and I have to wait while your LO plays with the chair? Or the ones that I saw playing with the towels and unfolding three of them, then running away? Or were you the one who left your son sitting in the cart crying while you ignored him and did your shopping? I've seen a lot of those parents around Ikea and I have to say that in my mind, that is far from common sense. When you try to do two things such as watching your child and shopping, you don't do either particularly well. Smaland is perfect for keeping your child entertained and safe while you shop. With the check in and check out system, you have to identify yourself to take your child out, so unless someone else has your driver's license or the pager they hand you, they probably aren't just walking away with your child. Considering that Ikea has used this system for 25+ years (I used to shop in the White Marsh store in the 80's) and hasn't lost a child yet, I think it's safer than your common sense dictates.

<comma> said the Ikea rep!

[Anonymous]

I made my first visit to Ikea this weekend, and I had heard there was a play area there. I was surprised though when I finally figured out it was drop off. I let my kids go because they wanted to play, and I sat outside and peeked in to check on them. I don't mind anyone calling me paranoid, but no way was I leaving my two girls to be "watched" by people I had never seen before in my life. Besides, my child has food allergies and asthma, and I can't leave her anywhere without her epipen and inhaler. Afterwards, my 5 year old said she didn't want to go there again because it was too "wild."

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:PP-I don't really care if people drop their kids off at smallland, but, if you can't watch your kid and shop at the same time, you're pretty inept.

I think it's more that kids have a lot more fun going to a play area then tagging along while you're shopping. And you can shop a lot faster (and it is easier) when you don't have children in tow.

[Anonymous]

For those of you who don't use the IKEA Smalland, do you ever hire a babysitter, leave your child with a nanny or in daycare, in cub scouts, with a piano teacher or sports coach, etc.? The reality is that you can't always be 100 percent sure that the people you leave your child with are OK but, personally, I don't want my children to grow up fearful of everyone outside their immediate family. I think the IKEA system is pretty safe and I've used it often.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:PP-I don't really care if people drop their kids off at smallland, but, if you can't watch your kid and shop at the same time, you're pretty inept.

I think it's more that kids have a lot more fun going to a play area then tagging along while you're shopping. And you can shop a lot faster (and it is easier) when you don't have children in tow.

I get that...I was addressing my comment to common sense dad, who said that people can't shop and adequately watch their kids at the same time. Pathetic, I wonder how he gets through life.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:PP-I don't really care if people drop their kids off at smallland, but, if you can't watch your kid and shop at the same time, you're pretty inept.

I think it's more that kids have a lot more fun going to a play area then tagging along while you're shopping. And you can shop a lot faster (and it is easier) when you don't have children in tow.

I get that...I was addressing my comment to common sense dad, who said that people can't shop and adequately watch their kids at the same time. Pathetic, I wonder how he gets through life.

NP here. I agree with common sense dad. We go to IKEA a few times a year and we are fine with our child when looking at things and when checking out. However, it is invaluable to have some hands-free time when comparing exact specifications of items. It is not possible for us to make reasoned design decisions and properly watch our child at the same time. Maybe you don't care that things fit perfectly and look good, but to us, design and fit are very important, so making a final decision requires more concentration than is possible with a preschooler along.

[Anonymous]

The college park Ikea playland is deserted during the week. Saturday and Sunday afternoons is insane.

[Anonymous]

We usually leave our kids home with family or with a vetted babysitter. Sometimes we all go though if we are just casually shopping (getting ideas for playroom, etc).

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:We usually leave our kids home with family or with a vetted babysitter. Sometimes we all go though if we are just casually shopping (getting ideas for playroom, etc).

Exactly. Child abduction, molestation is real and it is often a crime of opportunity. Are you going to tell me that you know the first and last name of any Ikea Employee that is going to be "watching" your child? Do you hire a babysitter without references, word of mouth recommendation? Awful things happen, why take the risk? Leave your children at hone with a trusted babysitter for $50.

[Anonymous]

Agree with 11:46. Teach your kids how to be helpful shoppers and enjoy your time with them. Can't stand the site of any playroom (Ikea, the gym, etc.) full of regular daycare kids on weekends.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Let's call me COMMON.SENSE mom! I really just never understood how someone can walk into a store and literally drop off their kid to strangers and go shopping. You really trust these people to keep your kid safe and not let them accidentally walk out the door with someone else. just crazy, I tell you.

And I am COMMON SENSE dad! How can you really shop and adequately keep an eye on your LO without disturbing other shoppers. Or are you the one whose kids are running around jumping on the couches and running in front of me to sit on the chair that I am considering buying and I have to wait while your LO plays with the chair? Or the ones that I saw playing with the towels and unfolding three of them, then running away? Or were you the one who left your son sitting in the cart crying while you ignored him and did your shopping? I've seen a lot of those parents around Ikea and I have to say that in my mind, that is far from common sense. When you try to do two things such as watching your child and shopping, you don't do either particularly well. Smaland is perfect for keeping your child entertained and safe while you shop. With the check in and check out system, you have to identify yourself to take your child out, so unless someone else has your driver's license or the pager they hand you, they probably aren't just walking away with your child. Considering that Ikea has used this system for 25+ years (I used to shop in the White Marsh store in the 80's) and hasn't lost a child yet, I think it's safer than your common sense dictates.

Let's modify your name to "Can't Handle My Kids" dad. Come on, really? Your kids are that unruly that you can't shop and take care of your kids at the same time? My kids aren't perfect but I'll guarantee they are not any of the kids you describe above. I know how to control and handle my DC. So many parents today act like their kids are such a burden and don't seem to know how to parent during normal life activities. If you honestly can't bring your kids to Ikea and keep them under control than you need more than Smalland for help!!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:PP-I don't really care if people drop their kids off at smallland, but, if you can't watch your kid and shop at the same time, you're pretty inept.

I think it's more that kids have a lot more fun going to a play area then tagging along while you're shopping. And you can shop a lot faster (and it is easier) when you don't have children in tow.

Because your kids should understand that the world revolves around them 24/7....

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:PP-I don't really care if people drop their kids off at smallland, but, if you can't watch your kid and shop at the same time, you're pretty inept.

I think it's more that kids have a lot more fun going to a play area then tagging along while you're shopping. And you can shop a lot faster (and it is easier) when you don't have children in tow.

I get that...I was addressing my comment to common sense dad, who said that people can't shop and adequately watch their kids at the same time. Pathetic, I wonder how he gets through life.

NP here. I agree with common sense dad. We go to IKEA a few times a year and we are fine with our child when looking at things and when checking out. However, it is invaluable to have some hands-free time when comparing exact specifications of items. It is not possible for us to make reasoned design decisions and properly watch our child at the same time. Maybe you don't care that things fit perfectly and look good, but to us, design and fit are very important, so making a final decision requires more concentration than is possible with a preschooler along.

I really think this is sad. We live here without any family or extra help outside of work hours and somehow have found the time to design and decorate our house without Ikea babysitters or any other babysitters. YOU may not be able to concentrate enough to make a decision with your preschooler, but we (and many others) can handle our DC while shopping. Do your measuring and design choosing online and go to the store more prepared when you are making final design decisions and not just browsing.

Maybe bring your child with you and teach them how to behave. Integrate them into the decision process. BE.A.PARENT!