Parenting in the Playground

We live 2 blocks away from a beautiful park with a playground. We spend lots of time here and it's always crowded with kids of all ages. This is a haven for self-proclaimed people-watchers such as myself. I've come to realize that there are three types of adults who bring their kids to the playground.

First, there are the attentive parents. 

• Following their child around the equipment to protect them if need be
• Making sure that other kids aren't throwing, pushing, spitting or grabbing 
• Making sure that their kids aren't throwing, pushing, spitting or grabbing
• Enjoying the play time as much as their children are

There is a sub-group to this type of parent and that is the Overly-attentive parent. They are usually on the playground equipment trying to out play their kid.

Secondly, the distracted parent.

• Sitting on the bench near the playground talking on the phone,  texting or chatting; glancing up occasionally
• Standing near where they last saw their child, talking on the phone, texting or chatting; oblivious to where their child is currently
• Pushing the swing while chatting with another distracted parent
• Child of distracted parent has usually attached themselves to an attentive parent/child pair

Lastly, the absent parent.

• Hired a fill-in parent usually in the form of an older Mexican woman
• Above mentioned nanny's sit in a small group of 5 or so on the bench and chat in their native tongue  while kids play
• Kids are usually bi-lingual and have attached to each other
• Parents are missing out on the best part of their kids lives
• Kids are missing out on the best part of their parents lives

I'd say I fall into the usually attentive but sometimes distracted parent category. 

*These are observations from this particular very busy playground...findings may differ from the playground near your house. :)

Kaleb at the playground this past summer