Do you watch your DC at all times at the playground?

[patchisagoodpup]

Inner city park with gated playground. It has a mound for a big slide and there's a grassy bit behind for running about so can't spot DC easily if they go that way unless you're on top of the mound (being eaten by flies ).

I like to allow my DCs space away from me to develop resilience and social skills so I take my blanket and sit in the main bit of the playground where I can see the gate.

Eldest is 8, youngest 4.

Is this ok or should I be following (particularly youngest) around still?

Like always,it depends on the kids. The 8yo shouldn't need supervision,but maybe still keep an eye on the 4 yo,especially if it's a busy day.

I don’t let my four year old out of sight for more than a couple of secs but she’s only just 4. My six year old knows to stay inside the playground gates and I trust her to leave her to roam a bit but make sure I check in/have eyes on her every 5/10 mins. 18 month old twins I have to stay with at all times (often have to carry one or they run in different directions.)

I would but I know from personal experience that it doesn’t take long for an older child to convince a younger one into doing something inappropriate (and often while parents are just sitting on the bench a few feet away)

I give my 5 year old quite a lot of freedom in that scenario as she's sensible but some 5 year olds I know still can't be trusted not to do a runner/injure themselves. I'm also pre-occupied with my 21 month old!

Gunpowder you have similar age gaps to me. Mine are now 19, 17 and twins nearly 15.
It does get easier... at least until they are taking A-levels and GCSEs at the same time.

I do and I really wish everyone did. I have lost count of how many times older children have been very badly behaved towards little ones (2yo)
And I am not comfortable with many of them engaging with me because they are craving adult attention {look, I can do this, blah blah}

My job involves a lot of child development and child protection practice and I wish parents did supervise.

The 8 yo is fine but also not fair on her to have to supervise the youngest.

Yes I don't tend to worry about 8yo. 4yo I try and track but I notice a lot of the other mums not giving a shiny shite about what their 4yos are up to. In fact I had to tell a few off for dangerous and bullying behaviour the other day while they were completely oblivious. (I wasn't being dramatic - I have boys and have worked in childcare so I have a pretty good idea of what is acceptable.)

Interesting responses, appreciate it.

Oh and I never make 8yo responsible for youngest - as if he'd let me 😂

I keep track of my almost four year old quite closely and will do with ds2 when the time comes.
I can’t stand tiny little toddlers being left to wander around a busy park. I’ve seen so many accidents because parents can’t be arsed to parent.

TheFirstOHN thank you so much. I’m glad to hear it gets easier. I feel guilty for not taking them to the playground more but it’s terrifying when they move so fast. While I am stopping one from running in front of the swings the other has climbed up to the top of the climbing frame. It’s constant peril.

I suppose for you again now with all the exams and I hope they ace them!

DS is only coming up to 3 but I won't ever let him out of my sight. DSS after about 6/7 I was a bit more relaxed about, so I imagine I'll be similar when DS is that age, but definitely would be checking in regularly. I'm all about independent growth and resilience but often times when I've been to playground locally you'll see bigger kids (7+) mucking about on the younger kids sections and last time I took my son to soft play he was pushed over and nearly trampled upon and I was right there!

I stand near to my 4 yo in playgrounds. We are inner city, it's busy and I don't trust anyone.

I let her get on with playing, but keep her i full view and if she moves to a different area of the playground I'll move too. Better safe than sorry.