I need to vent because WHERE ARE THE PARENTS?!
I am all for letting kids play, explore, get messy, be independent, and figure things out. I am not expecting parents to hover over their children every second they’re at the playground.
But please… watch your kids. Its really that simple.
I was at the park yesterday with my daughter and my 6-month-old, who in his Doona stroller. And I could not wait to leave...
A little girl came over to the stroller and repeatedly tried putting her hands all over my 6 month old's face. I gently redirected her and said no, because… obviously? She came back again later and started trying to take things off of our stroller.
And I’m standing there thinking, WHERE IS YOUR PARENT?!
It is SO awkward to have to discipline or redirect someone else’s child. I don’t want to be the mean mom at the playground telling your kid “no.” I want you to be there so I don’t have to.
Then, another little girl started watching my daughter, who is finally getting brave enough to climb and explore the jungle gym on her own.
Every single time my daughter would try to climb something — she was there. EVERY TIME.
My daughter would get ready to go down the slide she would shove her over and go down in front of her.
She would climb directly in front of her, climb on top of her, or push past her so aggressively that my daughter nearly fell.
So I finally had to be stern and say, “Excuse me, it’s her turn. Please wait your turn.” And LOL… she did not listen. She continued doing it the ENTIRE TIME we were there.
And every few minutes, I’d look around hoping to find her parent. Maybe they’d step in. Maybe they’d notice. Maybe I could give them that universal mom look that says, “Hey… your kid is repeatedly pushing my kid.”
Nope.
Nowhere.
And I left feeling completely overstimulated and exhausted and not because of my own kids. I spent the entire time having to monitor, redirect, and protect them from other people’s children while their parents were NOWHERE.
This isn't about expecting perfection from our kids. Kids are learning. Kids get excited. Kids don't always understand personal space, taking turns, or boundaries. That's NORMAL. But what is not normal is gto completely disregard your children and not watch them like AT ALL.
Okay I am done thank you for listening.