Would You Intrude on This Couple

[MIGrandma]

Yes, it is a public park and it has that designation because it is there to accomodate all kinds of folks. There are children that are looking for places to run and folks that are looking to enjoy nature and serenity. I would think the secluded spot chosen by the OP was selected because it was a little out of the way and serene. No one person or group has supreme rights to the park. Public parks have many areas for children to run, play and scream as loud as they want, but people looking for quiet also have a right to be there and enjoy the park. Parks are not for the exclusive use of running loud children in the same way that they are not there for the exclusive use of folks seeking to enjoy nature.

Public parks near us often had areas like baseball fields and tennis courts and gardens. I wonder if those who think they had a right to invade someone's quiet would think it was OK to have their children run through a tennis court interrupting someone's enjoyment of a game or allow their children to run through the gardens stomping through lovely flowers since it is a PUBLIC park and they have a right to be there.

It seems to me that many parents who feel that it was OK to invade someone else's privacy at the park, also complain on the Dis about having someone invade' their' space after waiting for hours to get a good spot and blocking their child's view just before a Disney parade starts.

I think the OP was within her right to utilize the park the way she sees fit. She chose a secluded spot that seemed to have been designed for folks looking for serenity to enjoy and that should have been respected. I'm sure that the park had many areas for children looking to run and be loud. Had the OP chosen an area for a picnic in the middle of a playground, I would have felt that she invaded the children's area and would have no sympathy for her, but she sought out a quiet spot.

The issue is about manners and consideration of others and sadly it seems to be disappearing from society.

 

[Wishing on a star]

This is pretty much how I feel. Parks are the one place for running around and playing.

I agree with MIgrandma in this whole situation, and I TOTALLY disagree with the above....

Sorry, but there are many other purposes and ways to enjoy a park.
Those who think the entire park is for their child to run and play, mere feet/inches from where an adult couple are dining and conversing...

Look, everybody here knows me, and know that I absolutely abhor parent-bashing.... I will not disagree with, or bash, parents unless I feel it is absolutely warranted. While I HATE to have cause to parent-bash, we all know that there are, indeed, a given number of 'those parents' out there.

In the case of the situation mentioned by the OP,
and in the case of somebody who would make statements similar to the above.... Yep... one of 'those parents'.

 

[Wishing on a star]

the kids run free and I just follow along with them taking the lead.

Sorry, but this statement alone says a LOT.

Kind of makes me go

I think we know know for certain what types of posters are disagreeing with the OP.

 

[Magic Mom]

Sorry, but this statement alone says a LOT.

Kind of makes me go

I think we know know for certain what types of posters are disagreeing with the OP.

What exactly does it say? Don't beat around the bush.

 

[dislaney]

I would have left the couple alone and taken my kids to another area of the park.

 

[Acklander]

Sorry, but this statement alone says a LOT.

Kind of makes me go

I think we know know for certain what types of posters are disagreeing with the OP.

And what exactly does this statement say? That when I bring my kids to the park, I let them play??? I don't see anything wrong with that.
There are times we go places where they're required to follow my lead, and there are times we go places that they get to call the shots on what they want to do. In our family, it's never all about one person. A park is one of the few places where kids are allowed to run around and just be kids.

 

[LisaR]

OP, you wrote in your first post that "THEY STAYED SEVERAL MINUTES.

Seriously? You are honestly this worked up because you encountered a couple kids in a public park for several minutes? Wow! Just wow!

 

[Michelle and crew]

Sorry, but this statement alone says a LOT.

Kind of makes me go

I think we know know for certain what types of posters are disagreeing with the OP.

Assume much? We are talking about park play not owning handguns at 10. Geesh!

 

[MIGrandma]

OP, you wrote in your first post that "THEY STAYED SEVERAL MINUTES.

Seriously? You are honestly this worked up because you encountered a couple kids in a public park for several minutes? Wow! Just wow!

Well, first of all, I'm not "worked up" over it. If I had been that "worked up" over it we definitely would have moved. I was just annoyed by it, plain and simple. And yes it was for "several minutes", about 15 actually and since it took us about half an hour to eat our lunch, they annoyed me for half of the time.

And it was more than just "encountering a couple kids"...as I said before if they would have just walked down to the lake for a minute or two, no problem. But running around our table within 1-2 feet for "several minutes" was definitely annoying.

On another note, it never ceases to amaze me that people bash other people for their annoyances. Oh to be perfect and never have nothing annoy you, gosh I wonder how that feels.

 

[padams]

OP, you wrote in your first post that "THEY STAYED SEVERAL MINUTES.

Seriously? You are honestly this worked up because you encountered a couple kids in a public park for several minutes? Wow! Just wow!

As I began reading OP's first post, I thought the kids sat down at the picnic table with OP and ate OP's food. I could see being upset about a family joining you for lunch. But then I continued to read and learn that the kids were only there for a few minutes.... Wow!

It's a public park.

 

[Michelle and crew]

You do realize that there is bashing going on both sides. You might want to consider that before you start acting like a martyr.

 

[marlynnp]

Today, 09:24 AM #122
Wishing on a star
DIS Veteran
Another proud Southerner!


Join Date: Aug 2002
Posts: 9,047

Quote:
Originally Posted by NHdisneylover
This is pretty much how I feel. Parks are the one place for running around and playing.

I agree with MIgrandma in this whole situation, and I TOTALLY disagree with the above....
Sorry, but there are many other purposes and ways to enjoy a park.
Those who think the entire park is for their child to run and play, mere feet/inches from where an adult couple are dining and conversing...

Look, everybody here knows me, and know that I absolutely abhor parent-bashing.... I will not disagree with, or bash, parents unless I feel it is absolutely warranted. While I HATE to have cause to parent-bash, we all know that there are, indeed, a given number of 'those parents' out there.

In the case of the situation mentioned by the OP,
and in the case of somebody who would make statements similar to the above.... Yep... one of 'those parents'.
__________________________________________________

Way to take that out of context! (of course I should expect that, given this is the DIS, right???)

I'll try to make it a little simpler.

In the following locations: stores, restaurants, banks, post offices and public parks - the only place acceptable for children to run around and play is the PARK.

Not one person said that a park was ONLY for running and playing children.

 

[NHdisneylover]

I agree with MIgrandma in this whole situation, and I TOTALLY disagree with the above....

Sorry, but there are many other purposes and ways to enjoy a park.
Those who think the entire park is for their child to run and play, mere feet/inches from where an adult couple are dining and conversing...

Look, everybody here knows me, and know that I absolutely abhor parent-bashing.... I will not disagree with, or bash, parents unless I feel it is absolutely warranted. While I HATE to have cause to parent-bash, we all know that there are, indeed, a given number of 'those parents' out there.

In the case of the situation mentioned by the OP,
and in the case of somebody who would make statements similar to the above.... Yep... one of 'those parents'.

Yes--I am proudly one of THOSE parents who has taught her kids not to run/play/be noisy in restaurants, stores, homes, libraries or pretty much anywhere else NOT a park.

I am proudly one of THOSE parents who believe that the vast majority of teachers and schools have the best interests of their students at heart. A parent who treats those professionals with respect and works with them to help her children learn. A parent who could see, even when things were not going well with her child, that the issue was not so much bad school as a kid with unique needs so i homeschooled for a while BUT never criticized the schools who were really doing very good job with the huge array of kids htey had to work with.

I am one of those parents whose has a stack of notes and progress reports from schools that always mention how polite or considerate her child is--because that has been taught to him so much and for so long it seems to stand out to everyone who meets him. I even have notes from camp counselors sent later in the year and a room mom from the ballet recital about what a joy it was to work with such a polite little boy and how rare it is these days.

I am one of those parents who teaches her kids to handle a difficult relative in a way that is not letting her control us, but also not responding in kind with meanness and insults.

I am one of those parents who teaches her kids how to dress appropriately to the situation--and to err on the side of too formal rather than to casual.

I am one of those parents whose kids know how to handle themselves in a myriad of environments and do so all the time. They ASK to not go places frequented by too many kids because THEY get fed up with the lack of manners and noise that so many kids exhibit.

I am one of those parents who is doing my very best to raise considerate, caring, responsible, loving and intelligent children who feel loved and valued but not entitled. I am proud of it.

 

[mariolatry]

I'm a little confused. Was the couple gettin' it on? Were the kids sitting at the table, begging for Triscuits? What do they need all of that privacy for? If they wanted a private, romantic meal, why would they go to a public park? That makes no sense. Go to a bistro. Go home. Go to your own back yard.

You have absolutely no legitimate expectation of privacy in a public place. That's why it's called a PUBLIC place.

On another note, it never ceases to amaze me that people bash other people for their annoyances. Oh to be perfect and never have nothing annoy you, gosh I wonder how that feels.

Seriously? You've been on The DIS a while, right? What did you honestly expect to happen? If you post your opinion on The DIS, you should ALWAYS expect a at least a 50% bash/flame rate. It's not like The DIS is know for fluffy bunny pats.

 

[luvsJack]

Of course it is perfectly acceptable for kids to run and play in a park. But its not really acceptable for them to run around within a foot of a table that someone else is sitting at.

Why on earth would anyone choose the one spot in a whole park where someone else is sitting? If the park was crowded, it would have been different; but that wasn't the case. And if the kids had just passed the table on their way to the lake it would have been different, but again, not the case.

This seems to be another case of where one person's rights stop when they begin invading the space of another. And if you are sitting at a table in a public park-YES you still have some private space.

 

[bgirldeb]

I agree with the OP and would be annoyed. Just because it's a public place does not mean you can't use common courtesy and give people space.

This is a pet peeve of mine at the beach. Last labor day we were at a beach that was not very crowded for a public beach, and some people set up their chairs so close to my Sister and BIL, so that they were basically in the shade of my Sister's umbrella, and there was little space to adjust for the moving sun. There was plenty of open space on the beach. They just didn't want to walk a few feet further, and I guess they thought they could use the free shade.

I have kids, but when we go to a park or beach we purposefully choose to go to an area that is not right next to someone. If our kids plop down somewhere too close to someone else we encourage them to follow us to a better spot, and gently remind them to stay out of others' personal space. That's where parenting comes in.

 

[MIGrandma]

You do realize that there is bashing going on both sides. You might want to consider that before you start acting like a martyr.

I'm sorry, but have I called anyone names here? I seem to recall a few calling me a grumpy old woman and a child hater.

 

[Abbie]

Yes--I am proudly one of THOSE parents who has taught her kids not to run/play/be noisy in restaurants, stores, homes, libraries or pretty much anywhere else NOT a park.

I am proudly one of THOSE parents who believe that the vast majority of teachers and schools have the best interests of their students at heart. A parent who treats those professionals with respect and works with them to help her children learn. A parent who could see, even when things were not going well with her child, that the issue was not so much bad school as a kid with unique needs so i homeschooled for a while BUT never criticized the schools who were really doing very good job with the huge array of kids htey had to work with.

I am one of those parents whose has a stack of notes and progress reports from schools that always mention how polite or considerate her child is--because that has been taught to him so much and for so long it seems to stand out to everyone who meets him. I even have notes from camp counselors sent later in the year and a room mom from the ballet recital about what a joy it was to work with such a polite little boy and how rare it is these days.

I am one of those parents who teaches her kids to handle a difficult relative in a way that is not letting her control us, but also not responding in kind with meanness and insults.

I am one of those parents who teaches her kids how to dress appropriately to the situation--and to err on the side of too formal rather than to casual.

I am one of those parents whose kids know how to handle themselves in a myriad of environments and do so all the time. They ASK to not go places frequented by too many kids because THEY get fed up with the lack of manners and noise that so many kids exhibit.

I am one of those parents who is doing my very best to raise considerate, caring, responsible, loving and intelligent children who feel loved and valued but not entitled. I am proud of it.

Love it.

 

[Deb in IA]

I'm a little confused. Was the couple gettin' it on? Were the kids sitting at the table, begging for Triscuits? What do they need all of that privacy for? If they wanted a private, romantic meal, why would they go to a public park? That makes no sense. Go to a bistro. Go home. Go to your own back yard.

You have absolutely no legitimate expectation of privacy in a public place. That's why it's called a PUBLIC place.



Seriously? You've been on The DIS a while, right? What did you honestly expect to happen? If you post your opinion on The DIS, you should ALWAYS expect a at least a 50% bash/flame rate. It's not like The DIS is know for fluffy bunny pats.

 

[Planogirl]

The OP shouldn't have expectations of privacy in a public park however it is courteous to urge your children not to run around an occupied table. The park sounds like a large place so there's no need for children to play right next to an occupied area.

I agree that you have to expect to be flamed on the DIS when you post such things particularly when it involves children. But who cares if someone flames? Just brush it off.