Do You Keep Your Kids in Sight While at the Park?

January 14, 2009

My jaw dropped the other day when I heard one mother tell another that she lost track of the woman's son (a kindergartner) earlier in the day (while he was in her care) at the packed park. She found him after a few minutes, but then the two laughed about it as they ate lunch while their tots played clear across the park and out of sight.
Do you keep your eyes on your kids at all times in crowded places?

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Pallas Athena 4 years 17 weeks

Also, a lot of the kids at the park were always picking fights or trying to influence my younger cousins (9,7,6,4) to do bad things.

Pallas Athena 4 years 17 weeks

I kept an eye on my cousins because there are many people at the parks (and they're big parks) and many exits. I didn't follow them though especially since there were four of them usually playing with other kids. I just sat down and would sometimes walk around just to make sure all of them were there still. I would also watch the exits.

CaterpillarGirl 4 years 17 weeks

it depends on the age of the kid really, above 10? I am not going to keep my eyes glued on him or her constantly below that yes. the perpetuation of the need to stagger our kids individuality by not letting them explore or be kids because of the scare tactics by the media makes me mad....

laceymace 4 years 18 weeks

Ummm Parenting 101?

bluepuppybites 4 years 18 weeks

I choose other because sometimes it's hard to keep your eye on your child all the time. We have this one park and it has lots of hidden areas and tunnels and stuff, fun for the kids but many times you think your kid is in one area all of a sudden she's on the other side of the playground. Also I try not to go at crowded times of the day so I can relax a bit and always go with someone so our kids can play together and there are two sets of eyes to watch them.

luckyme 4 years 18 weeks

It does depend on the age of a kid. I remember being 11, or so and going to the park with my cousins by ourselves. My daughter though, who is 19 months, she does not leave my sight. And she won't, not until she's quite a bit older. mommytikita - it breaks my heart too when kids are not looked after at the park. Just recently, we were at a park (a very busy park) and a little girl - probably 5 - fell and started crying out "Mommy! Mommy!" No mommy came running. The little girl ran around crying for a few moments before she spotted mom on the COMPLETE OTHER SIDE OF THE PARK. I was about to go over to her right when she saw her mom. It was so sad. I'm also really paranoid. But like you, I would rather be overly paranoid than oblivious. Nevadamtnbear - I've also been in your situation. We were at an outdoor mall and this group of moms with like 7 kids showed up. My daughter was playing, she was only about 1 at this point and the kids just went nuts. One of the little boys - about 2 and half - kicked her in the face, and it was not an accident. Mom wasn't paying attention AT ALL. She didn't even notice when my daughter started screaming. She was too busy chatting with her friends. I didn't say anything to her son because I was kind of flabbergasted. I'd never been in that situation before. Hindsight being 20/20, I know now that I should have said something to the boy and then let his mom know what happened. Ah, the things you learn as a parent. Sorry for the novel, ladies :).

katedavis 4 years 18 weeks

Not that I would have ever answered "No," but after seeing those surveillance vids of kids being molested in the middle of book stores I think parents have even more reason to keep an eye on their children wherever and whenever.

nevadamtnbear 4 years 18 weeks

I voted other, because it depends on (a) location; (b) age of kids and (c) environment. At 4, if I'm at a public location, I don't take my eyes off him. However, in a couple years, when his lil' sister is playing and getting the constant eye from me, he'll have more freedome to roam. And, depending on where I'm at if there's visual obstructions, i.e. he could be right within sight, but there's stuff that blocks views, then I make him stay within eyesight. This isn't just for his safety even thought that's the overriding concern, but it's also 'cause other kids can be little turds. We were at a local park with a great water feature. My son was just having fun playing in the water features when another kid, a bit older, starts picking on him and pushed him. I interviened - my kid was only 3 at the time - and told the other kid to move along and not touch my child. The kids mom - not paying attention to anything but the conversation she was having with someone else for over an hour and only would pay attention to her children (her back was to the play area) when they would come to her. Yah, so I watch to make sure my child is behaving appropriately and to watch out for him on several levels.

Greggie 4 years 18 weeks

If the crowded place is a public park, of course I keep them in sight. If we've reserved the park for a party and can see people coming a mile away, they can be out of my sight from time to time because they stay within the reserved area. If the crowded place is a house where we're visiting or attending a party, I barely see my kids.

Dana18 4 years 18 weeks

always. I follow them to each area that they go.

gab6784 4 years 18 weeks

Quote "Where's the "yes- are you f*cking nuts?!"" Thats what I would have chosen! I can't believe that people do this, I never let my daughter out of my sight - EVER.

Sarana 4 years 18 weeks

What age children are we talking about here? I used to play outside with other children all day long until the sun went down. Our parents checked in every now and than but certainly didn't have their eye on us every second.

vmruby 4 years 18 weeks

Yes!.....I don't dare take my eyes off of her EVER!

momma tikita 4 years 18 weeks

Where's the "yes- are you fucking nuts?!" It break my heart to see mothers walk away or talk on the phone and not pay attention to their kids at parks. Its really pathetic! Then I sit there and think of all the horrible things that could happen while not taking care of your child! My eyes dont leave my kids at any time. I hardly sit down when im at the park since I dont trust anyone there. There was one day where this weird lady was at the park trying to talk to me and I noticed that she had no kids there...I got suspicious and took the kids to another park. I was thinking that maybe she was trying to distract me so I would take my eyes off my kids? I dont know...maybe Im just paranoid! But I would rather be paranoid then have something happen to my children.

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