OT: little kids on the play ground

[livndisney]

I agree and that is why I made a point of saying that this child was really toddling! I had to tell my kids to be careful not to get in the way of the little kid so many times. It just wasn't fun for them. That is why we went to another playground, but it made me feel like the oblivious Mom who didn't care about everyone else's kids was getting what she wanted.

Kids should be able to run around a playground! Of course, I tell my children to be careful of other children (older or younger), not to push, cut, etc. Those things always have to be said. This was just constant, because the child was too young to be there! I used to let my "little" kids go on the "big" kids equipment, but only when there were not lots of kids around. It was the fact that she should have known that it was not safe for her toddler to be on the equipment with 15-20 "school age" kids and she expected everyone to accomodate her child that was really the problem.

I completely understand what you are saying and I agree with you. I think the problem comes in when people don't bother to follow the signs and/or common sense.

 

[JAM3]

I too let my my toddler play on the older side of the playground as the younger side is really designed for a child who is at the most 2 years old. She is aware of some areas that she is not allowed when it is busy because I think she is not old enough to "hold her own" there. I think older children should watch out for my child and wait their turn just as they do for any child. I do let older children go ahead of us if we are not in the middle of climbing so they do not have to wait. DD is very good at the areas she plays on. She is not toddling by any means but she is not yet 6 either. I think an older child needs to know that sometimes they need to adjust their play because of a situation. The same would be if a special needs child was on the playset who was an appropriate age. I do think it sounds like this caregiver could have easily moved the child to the toddler set once other children arrived, since they were must have only been a little over a year old if they were just toddling. However, since it is a public area with just a suggested age for use people have to be flexible.

 

[Hannathy]

Parents of little ones who let them play with the big kids also need to think that not all big kids have a parent hovering. My DS and his friends go to the playground by themselves. while they will wait there turn and not push a little guy down etc they do get involved in play and shouldn't have to concentrate on not running over a toddler who has no business toddling around the older kids equipment. They are there to play also like the toddler and 10 yr olds run with abandon without thinking 100% of the time, as it should be, and I won't be admonishing them for doing normal play.

 

[Trinity524]

I have a 21 month old boy who runs, climbs and hasn't had a moment without a bruise on his head since he learned to walk. The very idea of trying to segregate him by age is absolutely ridiculous. You can have a five 7 year olds and three 2 year olds and my son doesn't want anything to do with the 2 year olds and will always try to hang with the older kids. Unless there is a fence around it, he will be all up in it.

With that being said, I watch my son like a hawk and I would expect him to get kicked in the head, fall, get pushed to the ground and get hurt while he was on the big kid area. The dirty looks are out of line, and unnecessary as you were right there.

At my park there are no signs, just the obvious monkey bars and older kids areas. I normally hear the older kids Moms hollaring to be careful with my son being there and I always respond that he gets what he deserves being there in the thick of everything. That normally makes the parents smile and become relaxed. Children are normally gentler with the little kids innately and normally get a kick out of my son wanting to be with them.

I am sorry to hear that you had a bad experience!!!

 

[kevschickee]

Parents of little ones who let them play with the big kids also need to think that not all big kids have a parent hovering. My DS and his friends go to the playground by themselves. while they will wait there turn and not push a little guy down etc they do get involved in play and shouldn't have to concentrate on not running over a toddler who has no business toddling around the older kids equipment. They are there to play also like the toddler and 10 yr olds run with abandon without thinking 100% of the time, as it should be, and I won't be admonishing them for doing normal play.

They have every right to be in any part of a public playground. It is your job as a parent to teach your child manners, to be courteous and to be respectful. If this means teaching your son to watch when he runs then so be it.

 

[Hannathy]

They have every right to be in any part of a public playground. It is your job as a parent to teach your child manners, to be courteous and to be respectful. If this means teaching your son to watch when he runs then so be it.

Sorry my children have manners and are very courteous BUT a playground is for running and jumping and falling and playing hard as 10 yr old boys not 2 yr old toddlers. I am not making them tip toe around the one place they are allowed to run and yell like KIDS. They aren't pushing little kids down on purpose but if they are running and a toddler walks right in their way there is no way they are going to be able to stop-kinda like a car in the way of a train!- and we know who will be left standing. Even the schools separate the kinders from the 5th graders for a reason. If you let your little one have free rein of the playground then you need to be aware and accept the consequences that older kids also have free rein. Kids are kids not mini adults and like I said before most 10 yr olds don't have a parent hovering they are playing.

 

[1hero2princesses]

Ok I can trump everyone. How about Dogs on the play equipment of a childrens playground. No I don't mean people with dogs at the playground I mean people with dogs playing on the childrens play equipment. My DD 4 is terrified of dogs. Freak out terrified. Off we go to the park. The kids park. She is scared because people are walking their dogs but I manage to get her to the park carrying her (I have a 5 year old and 2 year old too so we can't penalize the other kids and never go to a park). We get there and what do we see? A woman playing on the equipment with her dog. Walking on the ramps, sliding down the slide etc. Really playing. Seriously. Maybe she had kids there too, I don't know but I was so frustrated. This was childrens park. I sat on a park bench with my DD on my lap while she cried. My DH watched the other two while they played on the equipment. I didn't know what to do. Some people have said I should have said something but I was afraid of confrontation. I have gotten some rude things said to me about her fears and some of them said in front of her. Some big dog fans are really not understanding at all. On another note we went to a different local playground which was completely empty. My 2 year old wanted nothing to do with the little kid equipment and wanted to play with her older brother or sister. I let her up there for a few minutes but she wasn't listening so I climbed up to wrestle her down. It was scary - way to many drop offs where she could get really hurt. I had to drag all three home because I couldn't keep her off it. It really can be a challenge if you have a lot of different ages.

 

[kevschickee]

Sorry my children have manners and are very courteous BUT a playground is for running and jumping and falling and playing hard as 10 yr old boys not 2 yr old toddlers. I am not making them tip toe around the one place they are allowed to run and yell like KIDS. They aren't pushing little kids down on purpose but if they are running and a toddler walks right in their way there is no way they are going to be able to stop-kinda like a car in the way of a train!- and we know who will be left standing. Even the schools separate the kinders from the 5th graders for a reason. If you let your little one have free rein of the playground then you need to be aware and accept the consequences that older kids also have free rein. Kids are kids not mini adults and like I said before most 10 yr olds don't have a parent hovering they are playing.

Maybe your children should have propper supervision if they don't want to have to tip toe around. You are right a playground is there for E VERY child not just the older ones. So yes your child should stop running if they are going to run into a toddler. PLAIN and SIMPLE. Toddlers are allowed to play without the threat of being run over too.

 

[Hannathy]

sorry again but you can not stop on a dime if you are flat out running! kids play hard especially when they are older. If they are coming down the slide and you let your 2 yr old walk in front of it, they can't be expected to stop. same with a swing. They have the right to loose themselves in the joy of swinging without looking every time they come forward for the 2 yr old who walks in front of the swing. It is hard to stop in mid air if you jump off the equipment just as the 2 yr old walks under it. None of these situations is being dis-courteous just the law of physics!

10 year olds don't need a hovering parent they can take themselves to the playground (and that is also good parenting, teaching them to take the small first steps toward independence). And they are acting accordingly by playing in an age appropriate manner.

 

[kevschickee]

sorry again but you can not stop on a dime if you are flat out running! kids play hard especially when they are older. If they are coming down the slide and you let your 2 yr old walk in front of it, they can't be expected to stop. same with a swing. They have the right to loose themselves in the joy of swinging without looking every time they come forward for the 2 yr old who walks in front of the swing. It is hard to stop in mid air if you jump off the equipment just as the 2 yr old walks under it. None of these situations is being dis-courteous just the law of physics!

10 year olds don't need a hovering parent they can take themselves to the playground (and that is also good parenting, teaching them to take the small first steps toward independence). And they are acting accordingly by playing in an age appropriate manner.

The slide and swing thing is one thing but if your kid is running around screaming and not watching then he needs to be watched. Yes you can't stop on a slide or swing and I think we all know that but its NOT ok to think because you are in a playground you can disregard who is around.

 

[livndisney]

The slide and swing thing is one thing but if your kid is running around screaming and not watching then he needs to be watched. Yes you can't stop on a slide or swing and I think we all know that but its NOT ok to think because you are in a playground you can disregard who is around.

Perhaps this is one of the reasons playgrounds have 2 sizes of equipment? 10 year olds can run around and be 10 year olds on the larger equipment and not have to fear running into a "toddler" and toddler's can run around and be toddlers on the small equipment and not have to worry about getting run over by a 10 year old.

 

[kevschickee]

1st- not every playground has 2 sections 2nd- I don't care where you are you have to respect peoples space. We will have to agree to disagree on this subject.

 

[Hannathy]

Perhaps this is one of the reasons playgrounds have 2 sizes of equipment? 10 year olds can run around and be 10 year olds on the larger equipment and not have to fear running into a "toddler" and toddler's can run around and be toddlers on the small equipment and not have to worry about getting run over by a 10 year old.

Exactly!!!!

 

[Hannathy]

1st- not every playground has 2 sections 2nd- I don't care where you are you have to respect peoples space. We will have to agree to disagree on this subject.

So going with your logic the toddler then also has to respect the older child's space and they want to run and jump with abandon. It isn't all one sided you seem to want everyone else to bend to your child's needs without acknowledging their (older children) needs and wants.

 

[WantToGoNow]

Not every playground has separate equipment for different ages of children but the playground the OP was commenting on did. Those "recommendations" are there for a reason - to keep the big kids off of the little kids equipment and to keep the little kids off of the big kids equipment. If you let your toddler play on equipment that is posted "for ages 5-12", then it is your responsibility if they get knocked over, pushed down or hurt.

 

[JAM3]

I just have to pipe in again to say that I find it hard to believe that none of you that currently are commenting that your older children shouldn't have to hold back at a playground didn't let your children play on any playground with similar size equipment when they were young. Think back, I bet you did. Putting age suggestions on play equipment is a relatively new thing in my area. It is not a rule, it is just that a suggestion. Nothing states, you need to be prepared to be run into, knocked down and disrespected if you use this equipment at a younger age. It is a public place. We all parent differently and all have children that are ready for different things at different ages. Yes, schools do separate the children by age, mostly because there would not be enough room for everyone to play at the same time. Most schools have a limit of 1-3 classes on the playground at the same time. I know this from personal experience. Yes the equipment is different, but there is not often the size difference you think between them. The difference are relatively minor. I think we should all just agree that we differ on this subject and have many reasons for our opinions. Luckily we are not going to all see each other at the park tomorrow, or will we?

 

[livndisney]

I just have to pipe in again to say that I find it hard to believe that none of you that currently are commenting that your older children shouldn't have to hold back at a playground didn't let your children play on any playground with similar size equipment when they were young. Think back, I bet you did. Putting age suggestions on play equipment is a relatively new thing in my area. It is not a rule, it is just that a suggestion. Nothing states, you need to be prepared to be run into, knocked down and disrespected if you use this equipment at a younger age. It is a public place. We all parent differently and all have children that are ready for different things at different ages. Yes, schools do separate the children by age, mostly because there would not be enough room for everyone to play at the same time. Most schools have a limit of 1-3 classes on the playground at the same time. I know this from personal experience. Yes the equipment is different, but there is not often the size difference you think between them. The difference are relatively minor. I think we should all just agree that we differ on this subject and have many reasons for our opinions. Luckily we are not going to all see each other at the park tomorrow, or will we?

We may. As far as did I allow my young child to climb on the big equipment?Nope! I didn't. I also don't let her play on playgrounds that are too small for her. I don't consider a posted sign to be a "suggestion". Although I know some parents do. And I will say again a child running and playing on a playground on age/size appropriate equipment is not being "disrespectful".

 

[Hannathy]

I just have to pipe in again to say that I find it hard to believe that none of you that currently are commenting that your older children shouldn't have to hold back at a playground didn't let your children play on any playground with similar size equipment when they were young. Think back, I bet you did. Putting age suggestions on play equipment is a relatively new thing in my area. It is not a rule, it is just that a suggestion. Nothing states, you need to be prepared to be run into, knocked down and disrespected if you use this equipment at a younger age. It is a public place. We all parent differently and all have children that are ready for different things at different ages. Yes, schools do separate the children by age, mostly because there would not be enough room for everyone to play at the same time. Most schools have a limit of 1-3 classes on the playground at the same time. I know this from personal experience. Yes the equipment is different, but there is not often the size difference you think between them. The difference are relatively minor. I think we should all just agree that we differ on this subject and have many reasons for our opinions. Luckily we are not going to all see each other at the park tomorrow, or will we?

BUT the HUGE difference is I didn't expect the older kids to accommodate my younger child. I always told mine if you play with the big kids you have to be willing to take your knocks and not complain or stay out of their way. that is all I am saying. anyone is welcome to play anywhere but don't expect special treatment, your child is no more special than mine and if they are playing appropriately and not being malicious or bullying then they do not have to go out of their way to accommodate your child.

 

[JAM3]

BUT the HUGE difference is I didn't expect the older kids to accommodate my younger child. I always told mine if you play with the big kids you have to be willing to take your knocks and not complain or stay out of their way. that is all I am saying. anyone is welcome to play anywhere but don't expect special treatment, your child is no more special than mine and if they are playing appropriately and not being malicious or bullying then they do not have to go out of their way to accommodate your child.

I agree with this totally. Just normally treatment, as every other child. That is all. I don't expect accommodations, if they needed them they would not be allowed on the equipment; as it would not be fair to the other children. My child often hears "That is what happens sometimes..."

 

[jaycns]

Not every playground has separate equipment for different ages of children but the playground the OP was commenting on did. Those "recommendations" are there for a reason - to keep the big kids off of the little kids equipment and to keep the little kids off of the big kids equipment. If you let your toddler play on equipment that is posted "for ages 5-12", then it is your responsibility if they get knocked over, pushed down or hurt.

ITA! What would anyone think of a few older grade schoolers 'invading' the toddler area of the park? The OP asked about a park where there were TWO playgrounds and it was posted. So, these other situations of only one play set, not posted, etc don't really pertain.

I am the mom of a 'split family'. I have four boys ages 13, 9,8 and 18 months. My 18 month old has NO business slowing down big kids on the posted 'big kids' playground. It's posted for kids above a certain height (I forget what it is). It is what the area is designated for as far as usage goes. My older kids don't belong tearing through the toddler part of the playground either. Once again, that area is designated for the use of children under a certain height. If the park is not busy, I will take my younger son over to the big kids equipment and let his brothers help him down the slide or take him across the monkey bars myself (holding his body and letting him think he is doing it). If I notice that others arrive, I will take my son and go back to the other part of the playground, the one that is set aside for his use. My older children are allowed to play WITH my younger son at the toddler playground with a strict reminder to watch for other small kids. If that area gets crowded and we all want to play together, we just head for another area of the park. I don't think my family's wants should come above anyone else's.

Think of it like this, when you see a basketball court at the park, do you think it's okay for toddlers to use that area for rolling around balls and that anyone who wants to use it for it's designated purpose should have to wait or try to play around them? I have seen many older kids and adults playing near each other without injury but when you throw little ones who don't have full control of their bodies (and with rare exception, this IS the case for most young toddlers), who don't understand dangers as well and/or aren't tall enough to be easily seen by most people enjoying the park areas for their designated usage, I think you are asking for someone to get hurt.

Even discount age...is it okay to picnic in the middle of marked soccer fields and then expect those who show up to play soccer to play around the picnic or wait until the picnic is over? Should the people who are there to play horseshoes have to be careful of the toddlers who want to make mud pies in the horseshoe pits or even other adults who want to use the area for yoga or something? Of course not! While it's okay (in most cases) to use the park in a variety of ways, if an area is designated for a certain age group, activity or purpose once other people show up those who are there to use the space the way it was designated should get to do so.

Parks have long had certain areas set aside for particular uses. While I might take my kids to play whiffle ball on a soccer field, I would (with no questions asked) yield the field back to anyone who came to use it for it's intended purpose. That said, if I had my toddler over on the field kicking a ball into the nets, I wouldn't hop off just cause bigger kids show up. I would however be mindful that it is a public park and not our private backyard and I would yield the field to them after a time and if it became apparent that they wanted to play a full field game.

Just my two cents.