https://boards.hellobee.com/ Pregnancy, Baby and Parenting blog, by Hellobee en Mon, 25 May 2026 06:06:45 +0000 https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/playground-wwyd#post-2522400 Tue, 12 Apr 2016 11:43:45 +0000 Happygal 2522400@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Mrs. Carrot: I'd be bummed b/c 15-20 minutes is a long time to take a swing if there isn't a free one available. But I wouldn't think to call security or call anyone unless a child was being neglected in a way that was dangerous. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/playground-wwyd#post-2522343 Tue, 12 Apr 2016 11:01:38 +0000 Mrs. Carrot 2522343@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@catomd00: The real difference to me is that these kids were yelling for attention and weren't being given any for a while. I'm not a hoverer by any means, my kid roams on her own, but if she goes on a swing, I'll be near her to swing her, and if she's doing something on her own and calls for me, I'd attend to her. That was my only real concern. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/playground-wwyd#post-2522341 Tue, 12 Apr 2016 11:00:06 +0000 Mrs. Carrot 2522341@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@T.H.O.U.: Yeah, the mom was there, but she was a decent distance away from them, not nearby, and these girls in the swings were yelling their hearts out for a long time before she came over to them. I let it be because I didn't think it was my place and technically they were supervised, I guess the lack of engagement just bothered me (and I'm not a hoverer with my kid by any stretch). </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/playground-wwyd#post-2522335 Tue, 12 Apr 2016 10:57:20 +0000 Mrs. Carrot 2522335@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@looch: This is exactly what raised my eyebrows. I didn't say anything because yes, parent was clearly there, though they were farther than I would be (to each their own). It was really only because these kids were literally yelling at top volume for someone to pay attention to them and no one was. Mostly I just felt bad for them but didn't feel like it was my place to give them a push or engage in some way. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/playground-wwyd#post-2522308 Tue, 12 Apr 2016 10:43:24 +0000 snowjewelz 2522308@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I mean, I'm not sure if there's anything to do, but I do see the situation as "dangerous" as long as the parent does not have a clear line of sight to their child. I feel like anything can happen like someone coming up to abduct them! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/playground-wwyd#post-2522178 Tue, 12 Apr 2016 08:39:05 +0000 Madison43 2522178@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@looch: yes exactly. Just let them play somewhere! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/playground-wwyd#post-2522173 Tue, 12 Apr 2016 08:34:06 +0000 looch 2522173@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Alba4: I'd probably approach it as my kid would like a turn, so I'd approach the group, ask if it's okay for me to give the kid in the bucket a few pushes and then switch them out. </p> <p>I don't view this as a security guard/neglect situation, just a someone else would like a turn. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/playground-wwyd#post-2522162 Tue, 12 Apr 2016 08:15:50 +0000 Alba4 2522162@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@looch: I think it's weird, but I can't justify saying anything. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/playground-wwyd#post-2522148 Tue, 12 Apr 2016 08:06:38 +0000 looch 2522148@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Am I the only one that finds it weird that the toddlers are just plopped in the bucket swings? What are they doing, just hanging there? I view that differently than say, a toddler sitting in sandbox. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/playground-wwyd#post-2522146 Tue, 12 Apr 2016 08:05:10 +0000 Alba4 2522146@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I wouldn't do anything, unless there was a dangerous situation.</p> <p>Child rearing changes drastically by culture. Most other cultures think Americans are overbearing and uber protective. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/playground-wwyd#post-2522136 Tue, 12 Apr 2016 07:55:06 +0000 Anagram 2522136@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Is the difference that it's in public? I sort of get why it's weird, but that's because I always tend to judge others more harshly than myself, because when it's me I know I have it handled.</p> <p>For instance: My baby sat in a high chair in the kitchen for 35 minutes this morning while I showered and dried my hair in the bathroom. She started out with a couple of toys on the tray, but threw those down and was sort of just sitting there. Since she wasn't crying, I left her there.</p> <p>If I were like, watching me on a camera I would probably be like "How long are you going to leave that poor baby alone in a high chair?"...but since it was ME, I totally felt like I had the whole situation under control and she was fine. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/playground-wwyd#post-2522134 Tue, 12 Apr 2016 07:51:15 +0000 Mrs. Pickle 2522134@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I would side eye if I wanted the swing. Otherwise, nothing. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/playground-wwyd#post-2522132 Tue, 12 Apr 2016 07:48:15 +0000 Madison43 2522132@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Honestly, I'd definitely give a little side eye to the whole situation because why bring your 2 year old to the park and then keep them in a not swinging swing the entire time, which they are clearly not enjoying if they are yelling to you for 15-20 mins. If there were supervising adults there, I wouldn't say anything unless my kid was waiting to use the swing. But during your mom's experience, it sounds like there weren't any adults? Just the toddlers unattended in the swing and elementary school aged kids playing on their own. I'd probably say something then.... </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/playground-wwyd#post-2522131 Tue, 12 Apr 2016 07:46:40 +0000 jetsa 2522131@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I wouldn't say anything either.</p> <p>There is a section kind of about this in bringing up bebe, essentially its americans who feel the need to entertain our kids. Other cultures allow their children to wander and explore themselves. I think it was odd that the children were stuck in swings but that is not my call and is certainly not hurting them. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/playground-wwyd#post-2522123 Tue, 12 Apr 2016 07:41:16 +0000 meredithNYC 2522123@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>They weren't in immediate danger, so I don't think it's a big deal, honestly. As Americans, I think we probably do have the reputation of being more the hovering type so I understand why this seems a little strange. That said, it just seems like a cultural difference? </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/playground-wwyd#post-2522111 Tue, 12 Apr 2016 07:31:40 +0000 Mrs. Lion 2522111@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I feel like it is very appropriate for school aged kids to play on a playground independently. If everyone seems safe I dont think its an issue. I sit back and watch my 3 year old play when we are at the playground. Often other parents hover around him and it always annoys me a little. Hes fine and i like seeing him explore without adult intervention.</p> <p>ETA I missed where you said they were in bucket swings and not regular swings. That part is a bit odd since the kids cant get in and out independently. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/playground-wwyd#post-2522070 Tue, 12 Apr 2016 05:26:10 +0000 Andrea 2522070@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I don't think there's anything you need to do/say here unless your child wants a turn on the swing. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/playground-wwyd#post-2522067 Tue, 12 Apr 2016 05:21:45 +0000 catomd00 2522067@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>The kids weren't in danger, try were being supervised. How is this any different than leaving your baby in a bouncy seat while you clean the house or something? This definitely is not a situation that requires your intervention or a call to security! If anything, I would have just given the kids an occasional push. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/playground-wwyd#post-2522063 Tue, 12 Apr 2016 04:25:34 +0000 Mrs. Lemon-Lime 2522063@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>The moms weren't interacting with the kids and doting on them, but they did take them out to the park with fresh air and weren't neglectful. I would have only said something to them if I saw one of the kids try to get out of the bucket seat and need help or I wanted to use the swing. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/playground-wwyd#post-2522059 Tue, 12 Apr 2016 04:01:21 +0000 T.H.O.U. 2522059@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Technically aren't they supervised? The moms could see the girls in the swings? I mean I know they aren't close but if one was in danger (tried to get out and got trapped or something) they would see and hear it right? </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/playground-wwyd#post-2522057 Tue, 12 Apr 2016 03:27:42 +0000 gracecat 2522057@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I wouldn't do anything either. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/playground-wwyd#post-2522051 Tue, 12 Apr 2016 01:48:30 +0000 lamariniere 2522051@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I think it's cultural. I see that a ton of that here and with the really little kids, the parents are within view of the kid. It's an annoyance if your kid wants to use the swing, but the child isn't actually in danger. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/playground-wwyd#post-2521977 Mon, 11 Apr 2016 21:22:02 +0000 mrbee 2521977@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I agree with @Jess1483: I wouldn't have done anything, because there was no immediate danger! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/playground-wwyd#post-2521963 Mon, 11 Apr 2016 21:05:51 +0000 runnerd 2521963@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>No there's nothing that warrants calling someone? nothing to be done except be annoyed if your child was waiting on a swing. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/playground-wwyd#post-2521962 Mon, 11 Apr 2016 21:04:23 +0000 JoyfulKiwi 2521962@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I wouldn't have done anything; the kids weren't in danger like you said. Maybe I would have played with my LOs near them to keep a watchful eye or even some friendly interaction/offered to push them in the swings. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/playground-wwyd#post-2521959 Mon, 11 Apr 2016 21:00:54 +0000 Jess1483 2521959@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>If they are being supervised (regardless of how well), and they aren't in any danger, I wouldn't do anything. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/playground-wwyd#post-2521958 Mon, 11 Apr 2016 20:58:14 +0000 Mrs. Carrot 2521958@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I live in a large condo building. The bulk of my neighbors are immigrant families (from one general region/culture) with young kids. Today I took LO to our playground and there were two girls a bit younger than LO (2ish) sitting in the bucket swings with no one around them. There was a group of women nearby sitting and socializing, and a large group of older kids (school age) playing together. After 5-10 minutes of the little girls crying "mama," one of the women came over, pushed them on the swing and said something to one of the girls in the older group (I assume their sister and it seemed like she was telling her to pay attention to the little girls). Then she went back into the group of women: Another 5-10 minutes passed, the girls are sitting in the swing, no one paying attention. The older group of girls went off the playground to play behind it. The woman is still talking in her group. Eventually she took them both out or the swing, but it was a solid 15-20 minutes if not longer. My mom, when she was visiting a few weeks ago, had an identical experience, except there were no adults nearby. My guess is that the little kids were in the care of the older ones, who wanted to play on their own.</p> <p>Either way- would you have said something or called security or anything? I try really hard not to judge parents and God knows all I wanted was to sit and chat with friends after a full day too, but leave a kid in a swing unattended for so long? They weren't in any danger, but it still felt weird. I think there's also a cultural issue (another parent actually did the same thing with her toddler as we were leaving- just plopped him in the bucket swing and left to sit with her friends) so I'm not sure if I'm overreacting or if I should have done something. </p>