The moment I remember living rent-free in my head was when my kids were little, maybe 5 and 3, and I went to the playground with them. The children toddled out and tried to mind their own business. And I sat and looked at Instagram for a little bit. I heard a mocking voice from a few yards away and turned around to see an older woman talking to someone else. “I’m so sad,” she said, but it was obvious she was saying it loud enough for me to hear. “Today’s parents are so immersed in their phones that they’re forever nostalgic for their children’s childhoods.” At that moment, I’m sure I became the White Guy Blinking meme.
I was perplexed for three main reasons. First of all, you can see the attitude rich No matter how you look at it, these words were coming from a woman from the baby boomer generation. Madam: I was raised in your generation and I can tell you that you were not all created equal. go Me and my friends went to the playground. I was told to arrive home by the time the street lights came on. There’s a lot you’ve missed in the meantime, so calm down.
Second: I went to the playground that day. because I had been playing with the kids since 6am so I needed a break. Third, since when did it become some kind of shame for kids to play alone? Like I said, this moment has played out in my head over and over again over the years, so I was happy to see author and educator Patricia Zaballos explain on TikTok why it’s actually good to leave kids alone on the playground.
“Hot buttons don’t have to be played on the playground with the kids,” she declares.
Playgrounds are great places for kids to learn new social skills
“Until very recently, playgrounds have always been places where children play with other children,” she explains. Not only is this convenient for tired adults with bad knees and unexplained pain in their backs, but it’s actually good for kids to be able to interact with other kids without adult involvement.
“Developmentally, they are wired to learn the social skills they need for life: how to interact with other people without alienating them, how to deal with difficult people, how to negotiate and reach agreements,” Zaballos continued. “All of this is ruined when adults intervene…Sure, we need to be around if they need help, but we need to allow children to develop these skills on their own.”
And think seriously. Even as an adult, when you have an authority figure in your social interactions, is the atmosphere the same as when you have a girlfriend? it’s not There? Probably not. You will be less open with your colleague and will likely defer to her when it comes to decision-making. Perhaps children will do the same. Therefore, give them a chance to spread their wings in a companion-only environment.
Playgrounds foster independence, creativity and confidence
Not only are children learning how to interact with other children on the playground (given time and space), they are also learning about themselves.
“Playgrounds are places where children who are left alone can get some exercise and develop a sense of adventure by doing something a little risky,” she says. It also helps them “build the imaginary world they are meant to build,” which helps them grow into people who can envision different possibilities for themselves and the world.
As a result, children become more confident and less anxious. And beyond that…
it’s good for you too
“The opportunity to chat and connect with other parents in real life. This is an important aspect of parenthood, but one that is rapidly disappearing in modern culture,” she offers. So, while you’re on the playground, take the time to talk to other adults. It helps you build community and helps you clarify your parenting ideas and philosophies by engaging with others.
In short, it doesn’t have to be that way. above As a parent/playmate. In some cases, that’s okay. In fact, it is recommended. — Sit down while reading and let the kids figure things out on their own.
