Etiquette for Mall Riding Toys

IF my own child is riding again, I don't care if the other child is there and it doesn't cost much, so I put in coins for them to ride.
The parent is usually nearby, so I glance at them and say "Can she???" and they usually say yes. They thank me. I say no big deal.
Or I tell the kid to ask their parent(s) first.

Kids always just hop on those things. Whether or not it is moving and whether or not some other kid is on it.
Its really no big deal to me.
Those things don't cost much.
I can't expect ONLY my child to be riding on it.
There are several horses on it.
it is made for more than 1 child at a time.
It is a public ride.
Not only for 1 child.

I never mind offering rides as long as we've paid for them and the parents are present to keep their own kids safe. But unless someone invites us, we don't assume that we're invited.

I think the next time around, you don't have to say "It's not up to me", but just 'We had our turn and now let's go see what's over here..." and leave. I think that unless the other family invites, 'it's not up to me' might come across as an uncomfortable insinuation that the other family is now going to be responsible for disappointing your child. I know you didn't mean it that way, but if I was the other parent standing there, it would have been uncomfortable. Or you could say "Would you mind if she stayed on? I'll be happy to pay for her" and see what sort of response you get.

I would have offered to split the cost. My husband actually had my little one at the mall one day. This other family was there, said nothing to him at all. As soon as he put the money in, they hurried up and had their 2 kids climb on. The ride cost $1.25 so their kids got a free ride. My husband felt they should have at least asked or offered him a quarter to share the cost. He was mad because the said nothing. But would not have minded sharing if they had.

I am such a sucker for those ride on toys.

We don't go to malls that often as there really aren't any in NYC, but when I make a special trip to NJ I always make sure that I bring extra quarter or dollar bills.

Growing up my parents rarely had the dime to let me ride and I always wished they did. Now I just can't help myself. My son rides them all.

The more who ride the merrier! I love seeing little ones enjoy those silly rides.

I wish I still fit in them. lol

I don't know what those rides cost these days, but if I were planning to let my child ride again, I'd happily allow other children to join in – my child would probably enjoy herself more, knowing others were having fun with her. It's a wonderful way to model general friendliness. Friendliness often spreads if nurtured even a little bit. I think of it as one small way to bring a little more kindness into the world, and I want my child and grandchild to live in a happier, kinder world.

If the other parents would be paying for the next round, I'd ask if I could pitch in and let my child go again. If I were paying for the ride, I'd reasonably be the one doing the inviting. While waiting, I'd probably offer a friendly comment or two to help turn "us" into a little community. When I reached the end of what I was willing to spend, it might even seem reasonable to ask the other parents if they wanted to pay for another round.

What I do is look at the mom or dad and ask - do you mind? They always say, no of course not. Then, if I have it, I pay for the next ride for both kids. I'd be afraid the other mom would think I didn't want her kids cooties if I wouldn't let my child ride with hers. But, I don't want to impose either, so, I just ask.

this is an excellent opportunity to model good social skills for your child. the merry-go-rounds have several ponies and are not made to be an individual take-turns sort of deal. this doesn't have to be awkward and uncomfortable. you can just smile at the other parents and say simply 'mind if she stays on for a spin?' and then offer to pay for the next round.
if you got a funky vibe from the other parents you can always leave after the ride or just plug money in or whatever. but a) there probably won't be- most parents want their kids to have fun and be friendly and b) if they had a problem, it's THEIR problem. no need for your daughter's fun to be curtailed so long as their kid's isn't either.
khairete
S.

This happened to us but from the other side. Our daughter was playing on that exact same merry-go-round when another child hopped on one of the other horses. The dad put a few quarters in the machine and our daughter got a ride. I told my husband to give the man half of the amount for the ride but he wouldn't accept it. He said to not worry about it. The kids were having fun together. And they were.... both of them couldn't stop laughing!

If our child is on this merry-go-round with another child and we pay, we will not ask the other parent to pay half or ask the child to leave. Those rides are for sharing. If your daughter doesn't mind, neither should you.

I don't mind if other kids ride with my daughter when I pay, I would mind if they just assume is ok.
I wouldn't ask if it ok for my child to ride because I wouldn't want the other parent to be force, I would say: "we had our turn and now is the girl's turn, we have to wait for our turn" If the other parent say is ok then great, and I would offer to pay the next one.

Personally, I don't let my children hop on with another child. I address it as waiting your turn. However, if someone's child hopped on, I wouldn't make them get off...it's not the child's fault that their parents lack courtesy. They probably suffer enough because of it.

Wow. This is kind of an example of "splitting hairs" isn't it?
You kind of have to go by the vibe of the other parents, offer to split, etc.
Plus those rides are germ factories!

it depends on if you were really ready to leave. I know kids will fall from the ceiling as soon as I put money into those. Nothing you can do really. Ride once then leave.

Would you really want them to give you 50 cents for sharing? it has been my experience...no one does that

If no one cares and there's 3 seats, I'd let her ride again, but maybe offer to split the cost with the other family or let the other kid ride free. I wouldn't let my kid try to ride free if someone already paid. I'd offer to pay some of it and talk to them first.

Spent my last dime for a little girl who is is obviously not cared for. Many of us have to rely on the kindness of strangers to gain favor in someones eyes.