Annoying playground dad

[Twopizzasfriday]

Just got back from the playground with Dd, almost 4, it’s an enclosed large playground, most parents sat on benches watching their children closely but giving them space to play (aside from teeny toddlers etc)
This dad following his daughter around constantly (admittedly I do this at times from one area to the other, but stand back and let her play with others)
His Dd was maybe 6/7 and he wouldn’t let her play. My Dd and her were running around, chasing one another and he was chasing them & hiding from them, sweet girl a bit but not the whole time. I then heard him call back his Dd and she said she wanted to go and play with Dd and he said ‘I thought you wanted to play with me?’ 🙈
All I could think…just let them play together, back off!

Aibu?

Such a transparent thread.

Why are you even focusing on this. Just let him get on with it, maybe he is very anxious, feels judged by other parents as he isn't sure what to do. You could have struck up a chat if you wanted to work it out. Wouldn't worry about it.

My ds5 does not understand boundaries (asd). I take him to the park to help with his social skills but I am very aware of him "invading" other children's space or behaving in ways other children don't understand. I have to behave like the dad you are referring to, ie making sure I am constantly beside ds to keep him in check and consider other children.
Don't be so bloody judgemental, you have no idea why he was behaving how he was, it could be he has circumstances like myself or maybe he is just overprotective. Whatever the reason it's none of your business! Concern yourself with your own child and your own parenting.

There might be background. A medical condition (like avoiding people with chicken pox)? Maybe it was his time with her and missed her and wanted to spend time with her? Maybe he’s trying to coax her out of the park because it’s has judgmental people sitting on benches staring at you.

How does your kids Dad parent at the park?

"Men don't play with their kids enough!"
Dad takes daughter to the playground.
"You're playing with her too much!"

FFS!

Concern yourself with your own child and your own parenting.

good advice.

You get annoyed too easily. Amazing that you can be judged for playing with your child! I do active playing with my daughter at soft play rather than sitting down letting her run round herself - because ive just adopted her and we need to bond through play. Before judging the poor dad remember you dont know the whole story.

@Ardmano Yes, this is it, without him saying this, I probably wouldn’t have thought it massively odd, although he wouldn’t give her a second to make friends/play with others

@heymammy He was tbh! Swinging on the play equipment and climbing up…the other kids were trying to climb up 🤷🏻‍♀️

@MrsWayne He parents v well I’d say, we follow her around, play a little but also step back as she plays and bonds with other kids, it’s why we take her there.

It's selfish behaviour. A child can play with a parent at home, they obviously want to play with other children while they can.

@bellac11 In what way?

@dworky I know…I mean, if the child wants to play with the parent, that’s fine, my Dd goes between wanting to play with us a little but then going off with other little ones. But if she was actively trying to run and play tag/hide and seek, there’s no way I’d be trying to stop her and want her to only play with me..it’s pretty odd

Perhaps a YouTube tutorial from you both might help inferior parents who are struggling with playing at the park?

That dad is amazing! I sit with my dd and feel ashamed of myself!

I like that OP is only really acknowledging posts from those who agree with her.

@JesusInTheCabbageVan 🤣Those parents are so amazing

@MrsWayne Ok 🙄

Before kids I had this notion, that it was a.big club where everybody supported each other s everyone knew how hard it was. But in reality, the harshest critics I know are other parents.
Whilst his behaviour may have seemed stifling, you really don't know his situation.
He could only see her for a few hours a week, and she requested to go to the park.

He, or someone he knows may have been abused, so he wants to keep her close and not engaging with others.
He may genuinely have wanted to play with her.

It's a shame he didn't let her engage, but that was his choice.