Can someone please explain a reason why adults don’t genuinely play with their kids? I feel like we owe it to them

[Parker1970]

Why is there an automatic assumption that any child would lose automatically? kis does not matter what outside type game it is. Is there a explanation as to why this happends?

When your child wants to race you at the playground on the kiddie rock wall, why is there this assumption that your child can’t actually race you? Children can climb a rock wall, why else are these on the playground? Instead it seems that grown-ups will just barely move, and act like the Kiddie wall is the hardest thing ever. Why not actually climb, and actually race your child like they are wanting you to do? The whole point of a rock wall races to see who can get to the top first.

It is the same thing when a child wants to arm wrestle with them the adult seemingly barely even does much of anything, and it is very obvious that they are just straight up letting their kid win. Why doesn’t the adult actually put in effort when they arm wrestle? Why not actually challenge your kid, the whole point of arm wrestling is to see who is stronger. If the opponent loses then they just need to provide a little bit more strength. Why is there this automatic assumption that any child would lose or not be able to play with them?

I have also noticed this when parents have a running relay race with their child. Why don’t the parents actually run? Instead they will sort of do this really awkward walking, and they end up just letting their kid win. The whole point of a running race is to see Who is going to get there first. Why not actually run and actually challenge your kid? Your child just needs to run a little bit faster next time to actually be able to win. Again, there seems to be this automatic assumption that a child can’t run, they have running tracks on the playground as well, so children can run.

If you were to play with a friend it’s not any different. Why would you automatically assume that your friend can’t play? If you’re going to arm wrestle with your friend, do it with your kid, if you’re going to run when you race your friend, do that with your kid . Same thing with Rockwall climbing on the playground with your child. Actually climb, just like you would do with your friend. Why isn’t that just because it’s a child wanting to arm wrestle or climb on the rock wall etc., most adults just come to the conclusion that they are going to lose and can’t play just because they’re a kid in elementary school?

Ohhhhh, is OP making some sort of oblique trans point? Adults being men and children being women in this metaphor?

That is a terrible metaphor on multiple levels and this is still a deeply stupid thread, but would at least explain why they are making obtuse comments like “a five year old could run faster than an adult man if they just tried a bit harder” - didn’t some trans woman cyclist claim biologically female professional cyclists could beat male professional cyclists if they just tried a bit harder?

Either way this is creep territory.

You sound like an arse. If I'm playing with adult beginners in my team sport, I hold back and pass to them even though they'll lose the ball fast. I tacke gently and slowly and let them tackle me successfully. It's how they learn and stops them getting hurt and demotivated.

Oh, is this trans related?! Ffs! No - men and women shouldn't compete against each other in (most) sports.

My point on my last post about it being weird wanting to dominate in unequal circumstances still stands though so - yay me.

Boke 🤮

I don’t think it’s trans related, something much worse, but really strange, have reported but it’s still up

Yes that's my opinion too.

Either way, it doesn't need feeding/encouraging.

I don't get the point of this thread OP. Why are you so concerned that people let their kids win sometimes? What about it is bothering you so much? Are you concerned that these kids are going to always expect to win because their parents let them?

Because it’s boring and/or there’s a lack of time to do it? Plus it’s important for children to learn to play with other children or by themselves so they can learn to be independent. Parents who play with their children ALL the time make a rod for their own backs as the children then expect the same treatment from all adults.

All I see here is Why this, why that, why? Why? Why? Something like a five year old. Plus somewhat of an obsession with Rock climbing walls. Sorry, but this is a very odd thread.

Sorry, not quite sure I understand your comments, or got this VERY wrong / lost the plot, but maybe I just don't understand your title of this thread, when it appears that kids must be beaten in sports / games just to feel that they are being played with?? Child vs adult?

Of course mostly an adult can 'win' over a child at sports, various games etc, but how the heck can that make the child feel better or feel like they can beat an adult at arm wrestling etc??? "quote from your post - "Why not actually challenge your kid, the whole point of arm wrestling is to see who is stronger." My vague guess would be the adult vs the child...... or is that too obvious?? Would they even try again? Unless the child is a 6 foot adult 'child'?

I think encouragement is good, yes, but also thrashing them at rock climbing??

Surely the playing / interaction / encouraging interests is the main part, taking an interest, spending quality time with them etc, yes, of course, but even in Ludo, back in the day, the child had to win sometimes, to build up their confidence? No, I don't agree with 'letting' them win every time, but knocking their confidence by the losing at everything is so easily done, with possible long term consequences?
Again, sorry if I have misunderstood your point. (Seems like a bit of a reverse or an angry post from your 5 year old, who may be better at IT than you, and logged into your account, lol???). Maybe just PLAY (not compete with a child) and have fun?? x

Sorry, not aimed at INKS, just accidently linked the quote xx

By doing these things in a competitive way on a level playing field with their peers who are the same age and size. This is a really weird thread.

Have you ever raced a 6 year old? By that age they are outrunning most grown ups, apart from tall fit ones and practiced athletes. My 6yo slows down or gives me a head start.

I do genuinely play with him, like pretend play, and yes, tickle battles, thumb wars and obstacle races. It’s a fair fight. But with board games I do ‘let’ him win sometimes if he isn’t because he gets very upset. He’s learnt to take a loss or two, but not repeated losing. So I cheat to lose. Shrug. Yeah, sometimes I don’t feel like playing. Sometimes I pretend and will often get into it, and other times I’ll just say not now.

Lol.

Beating small children at running, climbing, arm wrestling, chequers, card games like Snap, etc, makes them feel small and weak and stupid and dismayed.

There's more to playing with small children than the surface level elements of the activities, OP.

Though I think the short answer to your many questions is that most adults are not sociopaths.

Oh come on - you mentioned basketball in one of your baffling posts. Are you seriously suggesting a 3 yo would be able to even bounce the ball twice consecutively, let along get the ball through the net so far above him or her?

I played tennis and volleyball at club level and could seriously injure a small child across the net from me if I wanted to show them my best shots. But instead I've played many a game of keep it up with a beach ball or balloons, and encouraged my DCs to hit a tennis ball back and forth gently. This is because I love both games and also loved my DCs (still love them, but they're not kids any more).

Have you ever heard of scaffolding?
Why not extrapolate your notions to school endeavours like maths - drop small children into calculus, because many adults have mastered it, or give a 3 yo the complete works of Jane Austen for Christmas this year...

Guys…think he is posting for off reasons..very odd posts

Yes, he quite clearly is. I'm astonished that more people don't pick up on it.

Grim.

I'm surprised this thread is still here.
I did report it.

It's because it's cleverly done to not actually be against any guidelines.

Anyway. For the newer posters, it's best not to feed this one.

Are you AI 😂

I did too