what's your favorite flavor of ice cream?

[mefordis]

vanilla? chocolate?

 

[joyjoy]

I think it's up to you to keep a look out and be careful of errant balls. It is a playground, afterall. Children kicking and throwing balls belong there.

 

[Cinderella94]

I don't think it's a big deal.

 

[mefordis]

Really? In all areas of the playground? Even by the picnic tables and jungle gym?

I think it's up to you to keep a look out and be careful of errant balls. It is a playground, afterall. Children kicking and throwing balls belong there.

 

[lovemygoofy]

I'm confused. You are upset that children are playing with their balls on the playground? Are you worried about your car because you mentioned it being near the playground?

 

[harleyquinn]

lol this should be an interesting thread.

IMO? I would let it go and be responsible for my family and not worry about anyone else's. I would tell DD your concern and make sure she is aware of the balls.

Play is an extremely important thing for children and unfortunatly they get less and less of it. I think our culture is WAY to quick to decide to change things for the sake of "safety."

Like the old Mr. Rodgers episode where someone got hurt on the playground so the King decided to close it down for everyone's safety. Then the people asked to the king to let them play cuz they were all bored.

 

[mefordis]

I don't think it's a big deal.

Okay let me draw a picture for you. You are standing there holding your 1 yr old while your 5 yr old is playing on the jungle gym. Balls are whizzing by your face. How would you feel about that?

 

[ICF]

Kids are playing with balls on a playground??? What is this world coming to?!?!??!

 

[mefordis]

I'm confused. You are upset that children are playing with their balls on the playground? Are you worried about your car because you mentioned it being near the playground?

No, there is a huge area where they could designate for balls. They don't have to throw balls in every area of the playground. If your kid was on the jungle gym, do you think they should have to duck balls while going down the slide?

 

[MushyMushy]

I think it's a reasonable expectation that kids will be playing with balls on a playground. It's up to the parents/adults to watch out to make sure nobody gets lobbed with one.

 

[KirstenB]

At my daughter's school we pick the kids up right next to a playground that is for the smaller children grades k-3 and the parents usually let the kids play there right after school lets out. You have to walk through part of the playground to get to your car. I have noticed an increasing number of balls being thrown back and forth by the kids. It used to be one section of the playground now it's everywhere, and the parents are standing there letting it happen. I saw many close calls where the balls almost hit children and babies in the faces.

I went to talk to the assistant principal and he basically smirked at me and said, "We'll keep an eye out." Right! I was peeved at being blown off by him so I called the principal who basically said she has no control because it's not school hours.

This is insane to me because someone is going to get hurt with all of these balls being kicked and thrown and when I look around it seems like none of the parents really give a rip.

Is it just me overacting? I am new to this whole school thing with my oldest being in Kindergarten. Do I have a valid complaint?

Opinions?

This is nuts. Wait til someone gets hurt. The principal can say it's not school hours all day long, but people are picking up their kids there everyday, so it's definitely school business. And I'm pretty sure the first person hurt will go to the principal to address this.

 

[Stacerita]

I would just stand somewhere else then. I don't think its a big deal to look out for balls on the play ground.

 

[Cinderella94]

Okay let me draw a picture for you. You are standing there holding your 1 yr old while your 5 yr old is playing on the jungle gym. Balls are whizzing by your face. How would you feel about that?

Step out of the way? Stand in a different location with your children?

(I'm really not trying to sound snarky.)

 

[ICF]

No, there is a huge area where they could designate for balls. They don't have to throw balls in every area of the playground. If your kid was on the jungle gym, do you think they should have to duck balls while going down the slide?

When I was a kid, we had a game where we would throw the balls (the big red rubber kind) at the kids as they went down the slide. I don't recall all the rules of said game, but it was all in good fun and nobody lost an eye or anything over it.

 

[harleyquinn]

Really? In all areas of the playground? Even by the picnic tables and jungle gym?

Yes.

 

[Tinker'n'Fun]

Okay let me draw a picture for you. You are standing there holding your 1 yr old while your 5 yr old is playing on the jungle gym. Balls are whizzing by your face. How would you feel about that?

I am sorry that I can't give you the answer you want, but this is a very typical playground scenario. Think of it as hand/eye coordination learning to sway the balls away.

If it really bothers you, I would try to nicely say "excuse me, baby coming through". Or send your 5yo out first for interference. It would probably be fun.

 

[rgf207]

Yes you are overreacting. It's a playground for pete's sake. There are balls flying and there always will be.

 

[happygirl]

I don't see anything wrong with kids playing on a playground. If you are worried about being hit watch where you are going

 

[KAMLEM]

Okay let me draw a picture for you. You are standing there holding your 1 yr old while your 5 yr old is playing on the jungle gym. Balls are whizzing by your face. How would you feel about that?

Sorry, but I have a hard time believing that there are balls constantly whizzing by your face.

 

[harleyquinn]

No, there is a huge area where they could designate for balls. They don't have to throw balls in every area of the playground. If your kid was on the jungle gym, do you think they should have to duck balls while going down the slide?

If there is a particular instance of a kid throwing balls at children on the playground, that child should be dealt with. If it an errant ball, I would think the chances are pretty slim of being hit. And if you are hit? Is it really that big of a deal. If you don't feel you want your child to deal with the possibility of being hit by a ball, don't let them play there.

I don't think the school should feel the need to designate ball free zones.