AITJ for refusing to get off the swing as an adult at a kids park?
I am student attending a university and there is a park right down the road.
I have a ritual where every Friday when I go to the park. There’s this one big swing that all the kids play on.
There’s not usually anyone on it later in the day.
I typically have my little main character moment where I will swing on the swing and listen to music and just think. It’s pretty relaxing tbh.
I usually don’t see many families here. But I saw an older mother with six children.
These kids were being crazy chaotic lol. I’m literally sure they came just for this swing and went up and asked (rudely) if I could get off. I said no. And kept listening to music.
They got upset and I just ignored them.
A park isn’t just for kids. It’s for anyone who wants to use it.
This mother went up to me and was like “this place is for kids. Can you please stop taking up the swings here” or something like that.
I just rolled my eyes at her. Told her her kids should learn they don’t always get what they want. And kept playing on my phone.
This was my time. My ritual. I got there first. That swing was claimed. I was not moving.
This mom eventually tried to literally TIP the swing over to knock me off. I clung on. I lift weights so that can’t stop me. I then put my phone in my pocket and started fully clinging onto the swing.
The mom scoffed and stomped, she probably didn’t feel like getting an assault charge because a 20 year old was using a swing.
They moved on and went over to the slides. I never moved. They eventually left. And I stood there for awhile and went home.
Lowkey. I was glad to prove a point.
Anyways. How do you guys feel? Could I have handled this differently?
TLDR : I refused to give up the swing I was on as a young adult when a group of kids came up and wanted to use it and were being bratty about it.
Posted May 12, 2026, 3:03 PM UTC