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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To not enjoy taking DS to the park?

75 replies

DorisShutt · 28/09/2013 09:06

DH thinks I am.

DS is almost 3. We have a nice park about 20 minutes away in the car (relevant) with a great outdoor play bit which DS loves. He's at the age where he doesn't want anyone to go round with him, but is still too young to be left on his own to go round. Therefore trips to the park involve standing around bored as DS pops in and out yelling hello. I hate this. I get cold and bored. DH, on the other hand, loves it.

DH seems to have taken my "I don't enjoy the park" to mean that I don't enjoy spending time with DS. I think it's, "I don't like the park". Baking, drawing, playing with trains - all fine. Parks... not so much.

AIBU?

OP posts:
DragonsAreReal · 28/09/2013 09:09

Noooo your not unreasonable. I hate the park especially at that age.

Tips for the park :

go with a friend and spend the whole time gossiping with her while both your dc go off and play.

Take a flask and take tea/coffee/hot chocolate in flask and a book.

In summer go in late groups for group picnics, or take a picnic blanket and food and a book.

Enjoying the park is not pushing swings HTH Grin

Meglet · 28/09/2013 09:12

Yanbu.

I get cold in the park and mope (silently) about not be able to get on the swings as they're full of pesky kids. I can't stand watching when I could be climbing / swinging / spinning.

ChipAndSpud · 28/09/2013 09:14

I must admit I'm not keen on taking DS to the park on my own...mainly because I'm a wimp and feel like he's about to crack his head open on everything! Plus I don't like the tantrums when it's time to go! DH on the other hand is great at taking DS to the park and they have lots of fun!

ChipAndSpud · 28/09/2013 09:14

I've got a flask, taking a flask if tea is a good idea :)

pianodoodle · 28/09/2013 09:34

I don't mind but DD (2) has a tendency to just climb into the wooden train and sit there for ages smiling and chatting to whichever teddy she's brought with her.

So I'm sitting on the bench, she's sitting in a train looking out at me... not much activity going on!

Pascha · 28/09/2013 09:38

I've only just started to (relatively) enjoy the park now DS1 is 3, can manage most of it himself and has fun with other preschoolers he meets. I can sit down and feed DS2/play with my phone/drink coffee and watch in peace.

PervyMuskrat · 28/09/2013 09:38

ChipAndSpud that sounds exactly like how it is in our house. If I go to the park with DS and DH I spend the entire time with my heart in my mouth trying not to shout "Get him down, he's too little!"

I try not to go now Smile

joanofarchitrave · 28/09/2013 09:39

God, do whatever it takes. 'go with a friend and spend the whole time gossiping with her while both your dc go off and play.' - that was always my solution. Or borrow another child and take them to play with your dc - SERIOUS brownie points.

My community centre at last has a cafe that overlooks the playground. Nirvana!

Have a look round for local woods/rivers as well, if you already have to get in the car for the playground. Climbing on trees or splashing in wellies at the edge of the water is just less depressing than a play area and more cognitively challenging.

If your dh loves the park so much, he can take her maybe. Or go together and snog on a bench Grin

Original poster
DorisShutt · 28/09/2013 09:45

DH does take DS, but weekends are sort of family time, so we both agree that we don't want this every weekend.

Ah well, thermal top is dug out...

OP posts:
MegBusset · 28/09/2013 09:57

God I never do playgrounds in winter or ever really. Go for a walk in the woods, nature reserve, National Trust property, museum, beach... Just as much fun for DC and a lot more interesting for you!

Foxy800 · 28/09/2013 09:59

I only like the park if I have someone to join me otherwise i get bored too (I do take dd but hate it on my own).

PirateJelly · 28/09/2013 10:05

You are not on your own. I HATE the park. We are going today Angry
I do take a flask of tea, snacks and MN but I'm only allowed snippets of a minute or so peace between " watch me mummy, watch" and " you play too mummy come on" Grr.
Luckily DS has been conditioned from a young age to not expect more than half an hour at the park. I just don't understand how people can spend an entire afternoon there, I'd go mad.
Now going on walks through the woods or treasure hunts or days at the beach I can do, but I avoid the park wherever possible!

LimitedEditionLady · 28/09/2013 13:32

My child wont play anywhere on his own so i end up with a gang of other peoples kids following me around with him and me feeling arkward....especially if other peoples kids are asking me to lift them up etc.

BinksToEnlightenment · 28/09/2013 14:28

This is you admitting what tons of us are thinking. If going to the park was so great, we'd all be in the park and there'd be adult sized slides and see-saws.

MinesAPintOfTea · 28/09/2013 14:31

See I wish there were adult-sized slides etc. Isn't that the Go Ape business model?

And I'm looking forward to DS being able to manage the park himself rather than needing a hovering parent. I thought the idea was they ran off steam by themselves whilst the parent sits on the bench near the gate and reads?

catgirl1976 · 28/09/2013 14:47

DS is 22 months

He's too little for me not to go round with him and he also likes to sit on the wooden train and make me sit with him

So there we both sit, getting cold and no exercise........

After about 20 minutes of that, he will run off to the little shop, pretend to buy some bananas, give the wobbly chair thing a perfunctory wobble and then ask to go to the cafe for a milkshake Hmm

YANBU

Am looking forward to being able to read Heat and drink coffee whilst he runs around

invicta · 28/09/2013 14:51

I used to think it was boring also, and could never understand how people would spend hours there. I always felt a little guilty.

Madratlady · 28/09/2013 14:54

Learn to knit. I have a feeling it will be useful when I have to stand around in parks waiting for my dc when he's older.

BadSeedsAddict · 28/09/2013 14:56

YANBU, and I quite like the park, although I have 3 and they entertain themselves mostly. Definitely more fun with a friend. And yes yes to adult sized rides! Let's solve the obesity epidemic with adult-sized park rides Grin

chocoluvva · 28/09/2013 14:58

NBU - for all the reasons you mentioned. If you didn't enjoy doing anything with your DS.......

manchestermummy · 28/09/2013 15:12

YANBU. I don't mind taking DD2 but DD1 does not stop whining. She is too cold (but won't wear a coat), too hot (but is dressed for the Arctic), won't try anything, is hungry as soon as we get there and won't give up, too bored. In short I cannot stand it and generally avoid.

TheOneWithTheHair · 28/09/2013 15:16

Well I'm on dc3 now and I still hate,hate, hate the park. I only go if I absolutely can't avoid it.

This does not mean I hate spending time with my dcs. I do loads with them. Your dh is talking bollocks. (Sorry)

YANBU.

SPsTwerkingNineToFive · 28/09/2013 15:16

I have a park at the end of my street. Takes a minute to get to it.

Its so boring. I only started going because I saw a lovely looking dad there once. Once figured out he had a girlfriend I dont bother as much Grin

Btw I had my son with me. I didn't go sit all alone in the park!

RandomMess · 28/09/2013 15:16

YANBU I loathe going to the playground unless with friends to while away the time.

Ragwort · 28/09/2013 15:22

I don't see the point of you both having to go the park with your DS (& I loathe the expression 'family time' Grin). What is the problem if your DH is happy to take your DS, you get a break, they get to enjoy what they like doing? Confused.

I think it is madness to assume that you all like doing the same sort of thing - this afternoon my DH & DS are watching a football game and I am happy at home mumsnetting relaxing Smile.

Personally I used to love going to the park with my DS but he was happy to play on his own & I got to read a book.

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