Do you Play on the Playground?

[transformed]

I try to get a little break by taking my kids to the playground...but its not a break cause I actually have to play. I watch too much TV I think because I thought it was like you get out of the car and the kids all run to the playground and start playing with eachother while the adults sit and chat or read.

Nope.

The adults all follow their kids around the playground and play with them. Its annoying because then there isnt anyone available to play with my kids!

I dont get it. Mabye no one else needs a break, LOL.

I play with them about 25% of the time but usualy I want a break!

Today we went and they just sat next to me the whole time. I was like "GO PLAY!!!!!"

I wonder how the park is a break? Cause it isnt for me and I am running out of ideas.

Since I am a SAHM, I am entertaining my kids all day and all night long and I need a break each day that I am not getting. I think if I worked, I would be more incliined to play at the park because I wouldnt see my kids all day long.

[<~*MamaRose*~>]

I voted NO.

I don't play with my son but then again he's older....he wants to play with the kids there not me!

Just curious, what are the ages of the children that the other parents are following around?

[chaoticzenmom]

I put "no", but I should have put other. I will push my toddler on the swing sometimes, but I try to chit chat mostly. If I see an altercation coming with my older children, I might go do something near them, or stop talking so that I can watch the situation. I know what you mean. It's called "helicopter Mom" syndrome!LOL I was guilty of it myself with my first child. Now, I'm just picky about the parks that I go to. I try not to go to places with big kid swings next to the little kid area or other safety issues. I can relax when I don't have to worry about my toddler running into trouble.

Lisa

[dancingmama]

i said no. but if there is nobody else there, i might play some.

[icequeenash]

I do, because I like to.

It allows me to observe him, and interact with him.
I would get bored sitting on the benches.
It's a fun medium for my son and I, and I suppose since I'm a working mother I fall into your "don't see my kid all day long" catogory.

[transformed]

My children are 21 months and 4. (Of course the 21 m old needs some direction)

The kids range in age but I am talking about the 3-5 group that could play on their own. I understand parents following babies around cause they can get hurt! (And they need direction!)

[transformed]

Originally Posted by icequeenash

I fall into your "don't see my kid all day long" catogory.

I hope I didnt offend you.

[Iris' Mom]

I put "other" b/c I will if he makes me. He's 6, and will play with other kids if they're there. Otherwise I plunk myself down and chat or read. Of course, ds2 is 5 mos., and all may change once he's mobile. I was very lucky w/ DD. I could set out limits (basically I had to be able to see her), and I told her not to go up anyplace she couldn't get down from. From the time she could walk, it worked. With ds1, not so much. He always wants to go places he's afraid to go on his own, so I do have to get up now and then.

[mammal_mama]

I checked "other," because I don't have a set course of action. I currently follow my toddler around for safety, and am available to both girls on an as-needed basis.

Even though we homeschool, I try to visit the park at times when kids are out from school ('cause it's more fun for my 7yo), or else we team up with another homeschooling family. I generally prefer to sit and veg, or sit and chat with other moms and let the kids play with each other.

[Sharlla]

I sure do, I wear DS2 on my back and we swing together.

[aprons_and_acorns]

Originally Posted by dancingmama

i said no. but if there is nobody else there, i might play some.

me too

[KBecks]

I don't play, but I will follow my little on on the equipment or go down the slides with them. I'll push them on the swings and sit in the sand with them. I'm not super active playing, but I stay actively aware of what they are doing and what is going on. Yes, it's work to go to the playground! I can't have a good conversation. But it's still good to get out of the house, especially if the weather is nice.

[kamilla626]

Most of the time, because I like to. Partly, I'm just "spotting" dd while she's climbing, but I also love to climb, swing and slide.

If there are tons of kids around, I just watch so they're not like "Hey Old Lady - yeah you! Get off the slide!"

[Caroline248]

It depends. If we are there with playgroup, then mostly no. They play with the otehr kids and I talk to the other moms. If noone is there, maybe.

Of course, I have 5 kids, so they have each other to play with if I feel like reading or just being lazy on the park bench!

[elmh23]

Sometimes yes, sometimes no. Depends on my mood, lol. Dh always plays with dd when we're at the park because he doesn't get to play with her often. I'm usually taking care of my little guy, so I play with him, but he's only 7months old

We actually just got back from the park and since we were the only ones there I played with dd more than I normally would have, but she still played by herself a bit.

[Canadianmommax3]

i sometimes let her play by herself and i will bring a book, but i do play with her because there is never any kids at our park!
Then i tried going down the curvy slide and scraped my elbow and knee on the damn slide. So i stopped doing that.

[transformed]

Originally Posted by Caroline248

Of course, I have 5 kids, so they have each other to play with if I feel like reading or just being lazy on the park bench!

When do they start playing with eachother? I am working on #3.

[puddingpop]

I voted "yes", but really, I'd say it's more like 75% of the time. Adam is two, and he wants me right in there with him. He also will say things like "Mummy, swing!" so that I will sit on the swing beside him -- he likes to encourage me to go fast! The park is a break in the day (I'm a WAHM) but I still expect that I'm fully involved in whatever form playing takes.

[limabean]

I play with him as much as he wants me to. As he's getting older, he's happy to play by himself a bit more, which I admit is nice -- I've actually gotten to sit on the bench for 10-15 minutes at a time and watch him play as long as there are plenty of other kids there. If we're the only ones at the park, he likes for me to play with him the whole time, which is fine too.

[ejbamommy]

i have 4 children so I do'nt get to "play" as much as they'd like. I tend to follow around alot and assist when needed, but I don't really feel like i'm actually playing with them. If that makes sense.