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Parenting

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Original poster

Do you let your DC climb up slides in the park?

375 replies

rosie79 · 09/10/2006 17:28

My ds who's 3 has always been really into climbing (like most kids this age!) and for as long as he has been able to has climbed up slides in parks as well as sliding down them. He always waits his turn if it's busy and doesn't climb up if someone is about to slide down. I have always let him do this as I know that he knows his own limits and has yet to have any accidents, he is careful. Our parks are rarely very busy either. However, I have often heard other mums say to their kids as they try to climb up the slide "no dear, go up the normal way" or the "proper way" or similar words to this effect, or worse "you'll get the slide dirty" !! So their shoes doen't make it dirty if they slide down?! .
It doesn't bother me what other parents let and don't let their kids do, that's their choice, but to imply that my child is doing something wrong or abnormal and give me funny looks or say stuff extra loud so I hear them, that's annoying!! surely in playgrounds children should be able to use the equipment however they choose to, exploring and being adventurous? Isn't this what childhood is all about? With a bit of adult supervision it isn't dangerous. Am I on my own in feeling like this?

OP posts:

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sorrell · 09/10/2006 20:25

Not a personal comment to you NG.

niceglasses · 09/10/2006 20:27

Phew, thought I was boasting by stelth there.

GeorginaA · 09/10/2006 20:27

I don't think ANYONE said they didn't supervise!! A few of us just said that we didn't get our knickers in a twist if they climbed up the slide when it wasn't affecting anyone else's play!

Lol... this thread is funny.

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Original poster

rosie79 · 09/10/2006 20:28

I always supervise ds in public places, who was boasting about not?

Seems everyone here who lets their kids climb up the slide either supervises them or only lets them do it when other kids aren't around or it is safe to do so.

OP posts:

mustcackleorsuckbloodmore · 09/10/2006 20:28

I'm getting all paranoid about going to parks now.

Bozza · 09/10/2006 20:29

Nearly every time we go to our local playground the slide does not work because of being muddy and not slippy. The one in the garden is much better because the children do not climb up it.

And, as an aside, because I realise this says more about her than anyone else, if my 2yo got mud on her from the slide she would start taking her clothes off. Not really ideal!

MadamePlatypus · 09/10/2006 20:30

Never knew that slides were so controversial! Meanwhile, what is this hovering? Today I was in the park with DS (almost 3) playing with him on the climbing frame, (mainly participating in his imaginary games - I am not going to reveal his method of getting up the slide). I was tut tutting at a woman on the bench (who I think was an au pair) who was leaving her much younger child (I am guessing no older than 24 months) to play by himself on the climbing frame (which is about 4 foot off the ground). Occasionally she would shout at him not to do something (she didn't offer any encouragement) and then she would get back to her texting. But maybe I was hovering...?

Greensleeves · 09/10/2006 20:32

Niceglasses, you make me laff

singersgirl · 09/10/2006 20:32

You just never know what's going to become a hot topic, do you? For what it's worth, I'm with Twiglett and Greensleeves, broadly, though I do let them climb up the slides if the playground is empty or it is just them and the children we have come with. Otherwise, no - it's dangerous, rude and it takes such a long time.

Blu · 09/10/2006 20:32

LOL at 'baosting by stealth'

But why are you all so WET, you lot who are not afraid of confrontation with your children? IME it is always older children who climb up repeatedly in groups, blocking the slide for the little ones, and I TELL THEM! I say 'Excuse me, could you all let the little ones come down, now?'. You'll tut yourselves to an early grave if you just stand there seething!

ScareyCaligulaCorday · 09/10/2006 20:34

I tell my children to climb up the slides shouting "talk to the hand, talk to the hand" when others remonstrate with them.

Quadrofiendia · 09/10/2006 20:35

I never just tut me, am great at telling off older kids, and asking young lads if they think they are clever, my six year olds think I am very embaressing, which i probably am!!

Blandmum · 09/10/2006 20:36

Blu, snap. Anyway it is good for kids to push at the boundaries and to be told if they are being a PITA by adults other than their parents....it takes a village and all that.

Lact8 · 09/10/2006 20:43

I don't mind teling the older kids off, I'd want someone to tell my eldest if he was making a PITA of himself.

It's during the weekdays when its just the mums (usually) and toddlers that it does my head in.

'Darling, don't climb up the slide' halfheartedly and then just carry on sitting there not doing anything to stop them from climbing up the slide

bossykate · 09/10/2006 20:45

oh not this again! lol at you miserable conformists!

there is a climbing frame shaped like a train at our local playground - do you lot tut if children pretend it's a spaceship or a boat instead? gasp! what if there are other children pretending it's a train at the same time! well then, we must make the astronauts and sailors wait their turn! or better still insist they play trains on it...

what are you lot like? i am probably the most routine orientated, rules based parent that i know and i think this is just nonsensical anal control freakery.

snort at afraid of confrontation, pmsl.

ps - blu emailed me as promised

sugarfLeewhileyoustillcan · 09/10/2006 20:49

you do all know that the neighboorhood cats all uses the sand pit as a loo don't you?
Stop chucking sand and cat poo at once!

GeorginaA · 09/10/2006 20:49

LOL ... go, bossykate

sorrell · 09/10/2006 20:50

Actually I do tell kids hogging the slide that other children are waiting to go down. But I happen to think that this should be their parents' job, not mine. I think in future I shall just encourage mine to go down while the other kids are in mid-climb, as it's such fun for everyone.

sorrell · 09/10/2006 20:52

And the point of children climbing up the slide then sliding down it is that it totally prevents any other child using it at all and it is there to be shared. But hey, that apparently makes me a miserable conformist.

Lact8 · 09/10/2006 20:53

Lol bossykate, I'm siting on a bench so it can be spaceship, bus, pirate ship whatever as long as they don't climb up the bloody slide!

Blandmum · 09/10/2006 20:55

I remember climbing up the slide as a kid. the top of the slide had a fenced platform area that was Darlek Control, and the slide was the secret enterence.

We never seemed to use it as a slide

bossykate · 09/10/2006 20:56

why aren't the children going down "hogging" it? i disagree that there is a precedence. the equipment is there for children to play with - politely and with consideration for others. i don't agree that "going down" = polite and considerate and that "climbing up" = rude "brat" with lily livered neglectful shrinking violet mother.

bossykate · 09/10/2006 20:56

open your minds a crack!

motherinferior · 09/10/2006 20:57

Er, I do, if nobody seems to be around and/or bothered by it, because frankly I have to pick my battles with DD2 or she would wear me into even more frazzled a shadow of inferiority than I currently am.

motherinferior · 09/10/2006 20:57

In other words I am lily livered

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