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Help me with park etiquette

1 reply

Nocalmwaters · 29/05/2025 16:13

So.. just looking to not come over like a weirdo one way or another! We live in a small village, it’s the summer, and I have been taking my Dds (4 and 1) to the park for an hour in the afternoons (currently sahp, starting work in Sept). It’s a very small play park in the middle of the village. The kids at the park all go to the local (small) primary school and all seem to know each other. It’s been good for Dd1 as she’s been playing with children she’ll be in a class with next year and good for Dd2 as she’s gets to run around and climb on stuff. But I find it very awkward.. 😂 I know all the parents by face as it’s a small village and I see them about, might have had a convo at a toddler group in the past or on the door at nursery. Am I supposed to chat to them all? Just say hi? Keep up sustained conversation when the kids play? Just share pleasantries? What do parents do at the park? I don’t want to be ‘that mum who never talks to anyone’ or ‘that mum who always chats’. I’m quite naturally shy (can you tell?) so I’ve just been following DD2 around as an excuse.

OP posts:
Delatron · 29/05/2025 16:23

I think unless you want to be friends you exchange pleasantries as it would be weird not to. Then use your small one as a reason not to have to stop and make small talk. So follow her around as you have been doing.

If you want to be more sociable - chat for a little longer and see what their cues are. But you can have a natural break in the conversations to supervise.

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