The Problem with Parks...

The problem with parks, pools, play centers or generally anywhere for kids to run and play is that some mothers believe that the activity itself is a babysitter.
The rest of this blog will be dedicated to parents such as these, so if you don't want a lecture or don't want to hear me complain, you can leave now...

"We are at Monkey Joe's, so I am going to let my little angels govern themselves while I catch up on my reading." NO! Please take this as an opportunity to play with your children. Ride the slides with them, or race them through the obstacle course. Make sure that your child takes turns, and that he or she is being safe and considerate of others.

"Oh, a sprinkler playground... I am going to stuff my face and chat with other mothers while our children run unsupervised." This happened in front of me yesterday. The end result was that her child was being wild and accidentally knocked Avery flat on his cute, perfect face. Prior to getting his clock cleaned he was having a wonderful time.

The mother of the wild child had no idea that her son had knocked anyone over, nor any idea where he even was. When it was pointed out that her son had inadvertently hurt someone, she just said, "Oh," and went back to her conversation. She didn't apologize, or tell her child to take it easy, or EVEN LOOK TO SEE WHERE HE WAS.

We left and took Avery to Children's Healtcare Urgent Care,

where we are frequent flyers. Two hours later, after having

his face cleaned and numbed, and being sedated and stitched, we went home, where we were told that the same child knocked over another child and the mother was still OBLIVIOUS! No apology to the other family, no concern that her child was playing too rough.

I am not mad at the child. Accidents happen. Every single bit of frustration I have is directed at that mother. How will her child ever learn to have concern for others? Does he have a chance of growing up to be responsible, even his mother isn't?

Mothers like the one I encountered yesterday ruin everyone else's fun. Activities are not babysitters. They are learning and teaching experiences, and they are way more effective if the parents participate.