LilSugar

Moms Are Big Bullies on the Playground

LilSugar — Wed, 19 Aug 2009 04:00:42 -0700

There seems to be one in every mommy crowd. The playground patrol who feels it is within her right to monitor the actions of children, parents and caregivers. This mama's lil ones have never had a non-organic treat or been placed in front of the boob tube. Deborah Copaken Kogan, a New York City mother of three and former war photographer, takes on these Type A mums in her new tome Hell Is Other Parents. The collection of essays will sound familiar to any mom who has come face-to-face with nanny poaching rivals and sanctimommies who feel it necessary to give you unsolicited advice on your own parenting issues.

Playground Patrol: When Is a Child Too Old For the Park?

LilSugar — Mon, 27 Jul 2009 13:00:52 -0700

Parents want to keep their tweens off the streets, but is there a time when they should stop taking them to the playground? Yesterday, we went to a neighborhood park. The structures at the location are intended for young children. At 5 and 2-years-old, my daughter and son can tackle any obstacle offered from climbing the curved bars to walking up its steepest slide.

The place was empty until a dad arrived with his sons, ages 10 and 12. The younger one started plowing through the sand where my son was playing and had my lil guy laughing and introducing himself. A minute later, the tween shouted at my son. When I asked what the problem was, he said, "Is this your kid? I don't want him talking - it bothers me." I encouraged my child to head toward the bridge where he encountered the 12-year-old boy and said, "Hi, friend." before my tot bounced across it. The kid hollered after him, "Did you call me friend, I'm NOT your friend!" While throwing sand or running in front of moving swings is one thing, a friendly soon-to-be preschooler is another. I wasn't about to tell my son that he can't be kind to children on the playground so we left. But, the situation got me thinking - is there a point when kids outgrow the park?

Playground Patrol: Make Kids Run Laps For a Movie Treat?

LilSugar — Fri, 23 Jan 2009 09:00:43 -0800

There's some interesting stuff that happens in the sandbox. The other day while at the playground with my kids, I heard a mother tell her children (ages 6 - 10) to get off the swings and run laps or they would be late for the movie they were set to see. As they ran, she told them to go faster or they wouldn't get a treat at the theater.

The tall and lanky youngsters, who looked none too thrilled to have to exercise for popcorn, finished their workout and exited. Parents worry about their kids staying physically fit, but is forcing your children to burn calories in order to consume an unhealthy snack a lil extreme - especially if you aren't kicking your heels up beside them? What's your opinion?

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Lil Tip: Work Out at the Park by Pushing Swings

LilSugar — Thu, 22 Jan 2009 08:00:09 -0800

Keep your arms and kids in motion at the playground! The other day my daughter and a friend wanted to fly like fairies in the baby swings and needed someone to help them get air. Using my left arm to push my daughter and my right to push her friend, I got a rhythm going until about 20 minutes later when they finally tired of the activity. When we were leaving I noticed my arms were a bit sore and asked our in-house fitness guru, FitSugar about recommending it as a tip for moms who find themselves hanging out in the sandbox. She said it's a great exercise and to do squats if you want to add a lil more to your workout.

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

LilSugar — Wed, 14 Jan 2009 06:00:13 -0800

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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Playground Patrol: Advocate Self Defense in the Sandbox?

LilSugar — Mon, 12 Jan 2009 06:00:12 -0800

My husband and I were at the park over the weekend watching our kids climb on a pirate ship structure when I overheard a couple of other parents chatting. Their daughter who looked to be about six or seven was complaining about a little boy bugging her. Her father said something about the other child being smaller and then advised, "Give him three warnings and then use martial arts." While it's clear that this daddy didn't want his daughter getting bullied, is it appropriate to advocate a physical solution...on a younger child? Some moms and pops tell their tots to steer clear of troublemakers and others ask that their wee ones try and resolve sandbox issues themselves before telling an adult. What advice do you give your child?

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Playground Patrol: Nanny Stops Teens From Having Sex

LilSugar — Thu, 27 Mar 2008 15:00:43 -0700

I used to think that broken bottles were the most offensive thing found near the swings, but now it seems like everyone uses the park as their playground. It is as if anything goes from foul language to fooling around.

My husband took our kids to their favorite playground yesterday. Hidden from the street and frequented by families, the locale is ideal.

Well, until two tweens got frisky in the grass yesterday. While no one would have given a stolen kiss or sly copped feel a second notice, the couple's interaction became less "puppy love" and more "intro to Internet porn" as they got excited. To see what happened, read more.

Regulars at the playground were horrified, until one nanny had enough and politely approached the tweens and let them know their behavior was inappropriate.

Taking your tots on an outing is clearly no longer just a walk in the park. Have you ever encountered something crazy?
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