Going to the park

[torontokids]

Yeah, listening to everyone it sounds like everything else with this job that it gets easier once the kids/you learn the system. I guess I am just nervous about practicing "the system" until they get it. Once school is out their is a school across the road we can go to easily with a huge field and playground. Unfortunately, the playground is more for older/school aged kids which is great for the 3 yo's but not for the little ones. This would be a good park to practice at as it's super easy to go back to the daycare if things go wrong.

[sunnydays]

Yes, it does get easier with time. I go to the park every day with 5 dck and my daughter and in the summer my son too and I feel quite comfortable with watching them all. BUT, they have all learned the boundaries and I know who to watch more closely (ie who is a dare devil or has no sense of danger). In the beginning I do remember feeling like you, but then when I started I had only 2 dck's, so I built up to the full crew slowly. It is mostly about setting boundaries and sticking to them and teaching the kids what is acceptable and what is not. If they run away they get strapped into the stroller. They are not allowed to climb up the slide. We stick to little kid structures for the whole group and if there is a bigger structure right next to the little one, I will allow my son and daughter and the 3 year old dcg to climb on it, but the rest have to stay on the small structure. This is because of age and also because the bigger kids have proven to me that they can play safely on the bigger structure (nobody pushes or does anything crazy). I bring lots of snad toys as well. My biggest advice is that if you don't feel safe doing it, DON"T DO IT! Maybe you need to wait until you have your group following rules and routines better...practice at home in the back yard with having them stop when you ask them to, play within a boundary, etc. Nothing is worth risking the kids' safety. Once you gain more control and confidence, then you can try the park again.