I stepped away for a period of time, and much of what occurred happened while I was not present…read more Several parents who witnessed the incident later spoke with me and described what had taken place, which helped me better understand the situation.
My concern is not with the decision to remove my child from the game, but with the manner in which the entire situation was handled.
My child accidentally discharged a paintball marker while adjusting his face mask, which was slightly broken at the time. I completely understand and accept that safety rules must be enforced, and I have no issue with him being removed from the game as a result.
However, when I approached the manager to better understand what had happened so I could address it appropriately with my child, I found the interaction to be dismissive and unnecessarily confrontational.
As a parent, I believe that mistakes can become meaningful learning experiences when they are handled with patience, respect, and clear communication. What concerned me most was not the correction itself, but the way it was delivered. Children are still learning how to make good decisions and manage responsibility. They should absolutely be held accountable, but in a way that preserves their dignity. A mistake should be a learning moment, not a moment of embarrassment or humiliation.
I was also surprised to learn that participants were not required to sign a waiver, especially given the facility's strong emphasis on safety.
Most concerning, however, was the behavior and language used by staff in the presence of both children and parents. The use of profanity and displays of anger in a family-oriented environment is unacceptable and sets a poor example for young participants. Since this occurred openly in front of multiple witnesses, including other parents, it cannot be overlooked or dismissed.
In environments like this, adults set the tone. Children observe not only rules being enforced but also how adults handle frustration and conflict. Professionalism, patience, and self-control are especially important when working with young people.
I hope management will take this incident seriously and consider additional training for staff in communication and behavior around children and families. Safety and discipline are essential, but so are respect, kindness, and the responsibility to ensure that every child is corrected in a way that supports their confidence and growth.
