Do some parents really avoid parks and playgrounds with young children?

[MintyElephant]

Just a curious on this - I was at a family gathering on my husbands side. One of his cousins has 2 young children (we have 2 also) we were at a restaurant that had a play area outside and my children were on it, one of hers was on the climbing frame, we were chatting for a bit then she said ‘god I hate climbing frames, I hate parks, I never take my boys, they would just get dirty and climb like this, I’m going to get him off in a bit’
I didn’t have time to answer her or react as she then just changed the subject and started talking about something else.

I have never met a parent who’s said they ‘don’t like parks’ and don’t take their children to them.

We are playground lovers, as are our children, always at our local one.

just curious, any other parents who also don’t like them and so simply don’t take their children? What is it you don’t like? I honestly think she is being a bit selfish just because she doesn’t like them doesn’t mean her sons wouldn’t. What child doesn’t love a playground?

Weird, pretty normal for kids to play in playgrounds and get dirty sometimes!

I wouldn’t say I exactly miss it though now my DDs are older

Soft play :( and playgrounds… don’t like it’. But I go weekly as the toddler is obsessed. I even bought one of those tree house climbing frames with a swing and slide for the garden however, it’s not a replacement for the playground in the park!

My dc loved it, I didn't.
Even now dd is strangely fond of going in the evening and using the swings with her friends while they chat.
I think they are great for dc if not always their parents.

I hate parks. Find them so boring. But I still take my children, just can’t do it as often as they would like ie every day 🤣

https://www.youtube.com/shorts/RmZkB9s64q4

look at meeee! IYKYK

Thinking back to when I was younger, parks seemed to be much busier. And now the population is higher, yet often parks are empty, particularly in the winter. OK, hardly scientific, but many other people seem to agree they're just not used as much.
More parents working FT?
PArents like your SIL who either don't realise how important it is, or don't care as it's easier to throw them a phone?
More indoor play places?

I also hate them but still go there.

When I was a nanny, the mum walked me to the park nearby and physically shuddered and said THANK GOD I'LL NEVER HAVE TO COME HERE.

🤣🤣

My mother was like this. It was a huge rare treat if she’d stand for 5 minutes so I could have a quick go on the swings or slide if we happened to pass a playground, we never went there as a destination.

I have no idea why as she was a SAHM so no real reason not to let us play. I made sure my DC had hours enjoying the local playgrounds when they were little.

Of course.
It just seems a shame for an adult to not go to parks that their kid loves but they don't.
In the OP, the kid is on the climbing frame so clearly does enjoy it.

But lots of parents rather do stuff for themselves rather than their kids.

They are boring and often freezing for adults. I remember taking ds in colder weather and constantly looking at my watch hoping 20 minutes had gone by but it was always only 20 seconds. 😩He always wanted to go on stuff that was a bit too big for him and I had to constantly lift him up with numb fingers. Soft play isn’t fun either but I think kids learn a lot from them in terms of how the social world works. I didn’t believe in endlessly shielding them from navigating something tricky.

The best thing about playgrounds etc is that they are completely knackered afterwards and hungry and then sleep soundly.

Love parks and playgrounds - I'm in my 40s! I am the only parent I see playing with my dc on the swings, roundabouts and see saw etc. We play with balls, chalks, bubbles, sand toys, cuddly toys in the park- anything really. We do have a wonderful park though. I pretty much grew up in the park as a kid, so enjoying it all over again. Can easily spend 3 solid hours there.

I do accept I might be a bit weird playing on the play equipment as an adult (with dc though,not alone!)