The Park: A Place For Learning About Life

So Gary and I took the kiddos to the park today. Taking the kids to the castle or tree house or whatever the park happened to transform into that day has been something that we have looked forward to since my oldest was able to walk. I’m sure we have made hundreds of trips in the last 11 years to one of the parks in our county.

I love the park because it gives families a place to play and get away from everything that distracts us, especially us adults. So many of the really meaningful, important conversations that I have had with my children have been at the park. When you’re pushing your darlings on the swings, it presents a perfect time for “What do you think about this or that?” and “Look at all the things that God has made”, and discussing any other question that pops up from your little ones’ minds. If your little princesses and princes are like mine, they are so much more observant than we are as adults and usually start these conversations without much nudging from you.

The park should be a happy place for all kids, but too many times when I’m climbing the stairs of the castle with mine, there are other children that are playing with no adult supervision or company. Like today, there was a girl and a boy who seemed perfectly content to play by themselves and with my children while their father sat on the bench and played with his phone. What really got to me is when they went over to him to share the bit of excitement that they were feeling, he practically shooed them away. I know there are times when I would love to have an hour to myself to be online or read a book or just do anything by myself, but what could possibly be more important that sharing a conversation or a close-up view of a squirrel or making a wish as a ladybug flies off your darling’s finger? You will never get those little moments back and it is those moments that help shape your child. Is reading the newspaper on the bench more important? Is texting your friend or checking your email for the fifth time today more important? I could write a million more words about how dangerous it is for your 4 year old who is playing with me, a stranger, because you chose to sit in your car, but I’ll save that for another post.

Don’t get me wrong; I am talking to myself as much as the rest of you. Sorry if I sound too judgmental, but I feel outraged at any type of child neglect, which is what I sometimes see when out with my little darlings. I know we as parents are sometimes living for bedtime so we can breathe or relax or just sleep. We have the mentality of “When they get a little older we can do this or that”. The trouble is, when they get too much older, they won’t want to share with us if we weren’t there to share with them. We’ll be the ones vying for their attention and they will be different people if we don’t take the time to share with them now. I think if you’ll put the phone, the newspaper, and all the other little things that distract us away and slide down that slide or push the swing, you’ll discover that you will get more than you put into your trip to the park.