[Polliwog]

The judge granted Polliwog's father a one hour visit and told the SW that it didn't have to be in DSS's walk-in closet (formally known as the visitation room.) The SW suggested McDonalds and I suggested a local park. Because he doesn't know the area, it's going to be at McDonalds (although there is a small park up the street from there that I'm going to suggest.) I did let the SW know that Polliwogilina's so small, someone would need to go up in the tunnels with her. She said that if the father doesn't want to do it, that she would (she goes out on maternity leave in three weeks, so that should be something to see

.) So, I'm really hoping that he's willing to drive 1/4 mile further to the park.

What in the world will we do for one hour at the play area? I'm assuming that she'll have a snack and play but for a 25-month-old, an hour is a long time. I'm going to pack some crayons and paper as a backup.

I'm ok with the visit, it's the location that's stressing me out.

 

[Freefromitall]

I don't know about the set up at that place, but at the local playland here, there's a bottom level of tunnels and a top. ds (18mos) LOVES to crawl through the bottom one by himself and pop out at the other end of it. He could easily spend 30-45 min just doing that, and running around, and peeking around corners.
Especially if other kids are there (loves playing with his sister too, but even random kids, yk?) So, snack and play time, and bring the colors, and I bet there won't be too much boredom.

ETA Saw this from the new post page

 

[Polliwog]

She'll be fine. It's more me that I'm worried about. I've got a short attention span and would have liked to be at a place that had more diversity of activities. Plus, if my preschooler was there, he could go up with her. She's an explorer and won't be satisfied staying lowish to the ground.

 

[lauren]

I'm sorry. McD's playland used to give me the creeps when my kids were younger. They were probably the only kids in town that weren't allowed in there. Hopefully it will be a nice day and he'll opt for the park.

 

[tiffani]

no advice, but good luck with the meeting!!

 

[queenjane]

One thing about McD's playland is that you never know how crowded its going to be...if its not too crowded it should be ok, but if there are tons of people/kids, then i'm not sure how conducive it would be for a parent visit anyway. Plus, if you were at a park, there would be more things for the father to do with dfd, like push her on the swing, go down the slide with her, run around and play tag, etc...might not be too easy in a small playland.

But, its just an hour, so it will be fine. If its not working, maybe after awhile you could all move to the park?

Katherine

 

[Polliwog]

I'm really glad it's not at DSS but she's so tiny and I'm so claustrophobic. She'll have fun anywhere and she'll soak up the extra attention. I'm glad that she'll get to meet him, even if the circumstances aren't ideal.

 

[Momma Aimee]

good luck

fwiw -- my boys could play for an hour EASY there -- at 17 months and 3 years ... and Thgeo at 25 months could have played well over an hour there ....

tired afterward though

good luck

AImee

 

[AndVeeGeeMakes3]

Quote:

Originally Posted by lauren I'm sorry. McD's playland used to give me the creeps when my kids were younger. They were probably the only kids in town that weren't allowed in there. Hopefully it will be a nice day and he'll opt for the park.

: (yours won't be the only kids, Lauren!)

ick. I am totally sketched out by those playlands because I can't see kiddo at all times - at least at the playground she pops out of the "tunnel slide" quickly. Also, I'm always worried she's going to get stuck in there. Okay, I'm a freak, but, still, ick. It seems like she's way too young for that kind of place - IMO.

I guess the upside, though, is that it will be a more contained space and allow more interaction than a wide-open playground

.

I'm sorry (both that I'm no help and that it's a crummy sort of situation).

 

[pixiekisses]

Quote:

Originally Posted by lauren I'm sorry. McD's playland used to give me the creeps when my kids were younger. They were probably the only kids in town that weren't allowed in there. Hopefully it will be a nice day and he'll opt for the park.

My kids are probably some of the few that has never even been to McD.

Good luck, hope you get him along to the park.

 

[Polliwog]

My kids haven't been in a McDonald's play area either. Almost went in a Burger King one on the way up north to Heatherdeg's house, but it was too icy. Darn...what a shame. I suspect she'll be fine up in all the tunnels- she climbs eight foot slides at the park. It's just that the play area is so limiting.

This might be the only time that he gets to see her (depending on what happens on Thursday.) He doesn't speak English but I think he'll probably come with his bilingual friend.

I just checked the 10 day weather forecast and it looks like it might rain that day. That would be fun. Of course a lot can change with the forecast between now and then.

 

[Polliwog]

Yep, it's likely to be raining tomorrow morning. So, we'll be inside McDonalds. Which is even worse than having the play area as an option. I'm bringing crayons and paper and probably a few picture books. But, I envision a lot of redirection from tables and jumping off of chairs. And some sort of snack. McDonalds has yogurt, right?

 

[~Megan~]

Popping in here to say that my kids at 2 could easily play for an hour at a Mc D's play place. They just run around playing with what they can reach and with other kids. Often the kids at such places are not monitored well so keep an eye on her.

We use it as a playground on super hot days as it's air conditioned and on rainy days when they just need to get out it's a good place to go.

 

[Polliwog]

This one isn't covered so if it's raining, it won't be an option.

The goal of this trip is for her to spend time with her father who she's never met. So, hopefully that will happen, no matter whether we're inside or outside. If I had been at court, I would have pushed for the park setting but it is what it is.

 

[queenjane]

Quote:

Originally Posted by BethNC This one isn't covered so if it's raining, it won't be an option. The goal of this trip is for her to spend time with her father who she's never met. So, hopefully that will happen, no matter whether we're inside or outside. If I had been at court, I would have pushed for the park setting but it is what it is.

I wasnt picturing an outdoor play area! We've mostly gone to the indoor ones (which can get really loud with lots of kids inside)...i used to practically live there when my older son was preschool/K age.

Good luck on the visit!

Katherine

 

[Polliwog]

It's the tunnell-y thingy but doesn't have a roof over the top. We've been to one at Chick-fil-a which was completely enclosed and that made me even more claustrophobic. She's a climber so she'll be fine up in the tunnels but might not want to come out.

She'll be fine. I'm the claustrophobic one. I'm not particularly worried about the visit. Court on Thursday, yes. Her spending an hour with her father, not so much.

 

[Whistler]

Good luck on both, Beth! I hope the visit AND the court goes well.

 

[Polliwog]

It was wet so we stayed inside the whole time. Polliwog was really mellow and sat in the booster chair the whole time. Her father came with a friend and her daughter. He fed her some yogurt and granola and handed her crayons so she could color. He brought her a few gifts that weren't my preferred type of toy but ones that we're sort of age-appropriate. The hour went relatively quickly and she only got upset once- when I was talking with the SW and GAL and didn't notice that she was trying to get my attention. Otherwise, she had a nice time. His friend took a few pictures for him and she took a few for me with my camera.

 

[AndVeeGeeMakes3]

I'm glad it went peacefully! What's next?

 

[Polliwog]

Court is on Thursday. A brand new judge so who knows what's likely to happen.