Going to the park

[Artsand crafts]

I stay close to the babies while the bigger kids play inside the designated area. I also let them play wherever they want as long as I find it safe for them and that they do not need my assistance. I choose playgrounds where I can easily see everyone and avoid the ones that have very big structures that can block my view if someone slide down in the other side. I have a decent size backyard, but still I really like going out and the kids enjoy our outings a lot, too. During summer we spend time in the backyard maybe twice a month or so.

[torontokids]

Ohhh ...... Oops sorry ..... I live in the country and have 5 acres and three play structures and looking to buy another one

Thanks, rub it in! heh heh

[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.

[playfelt]

I agree with Sunnydays on the first getting the kids ready to be out in public. If you do not have voice control at home then for sure you won't have it out in a wide open area. I do not let kids who have not learned this skill out of the wagon. I bring toys for them to use while strapped in. Since the park is for the older kids then this might be the way to go in the sense of going for a walk and then stopping at the park for a short time for the older kids to play and then walking home. The babies will get enough exercise with activities in the house and everyone got their fresh air. As the babies get older you can gradually introduce them to playing outside too.

[monkeymama]

I go to the park a couple times a week, usually with 5 dck and my own 22 month old. Kids 3+ know the rules and need to stay in eye sight all the times. The little ones usually stay by my side, and I bring lots of sand toys that usually occupy their time. The more you go, the better they will become. The kids know if they aren't listening and behaving, we pack up and leave. I usually like to go early before it gets really busy and leave before lunch. I have a big backyard with swingset but I like to practise outings with the kids. They wont learn if you keep them at home all the time. We always go over the rules before we leave so the kids know from the beginning what the expectations are.

[momofnerds]

I have strict rules when I go to the park and the kids are really good about it. They also know that if they misbehave we will never ever go to the park. and really its not my group I have to worry about, its the other naughty children who's parents don't watch them or the daycamps who let the kids become wild animals and don't do anything about it. this drives me nuts.

[torontokids]

I think a lot of my discomfort really had to do with my pt dcb. I gave notice to them yesterday and I think park outings will be better. I found it limiting because I would always reconsider outings when I knew he would be with us. I feel some relief knowing he will not be with us all summer

[Momof4]

You definitely become more comfortable with your group over time as they get to know the rules and that you are going to enforce them, period! We ride the city buses to get to parks and the library often and I get compliments all the time wherever we go on the well behaved children in my group. I always tell people that it took a lot of hard work and patience and teaching on my part to get them that way but I'm very proud of them. Same goes for every group I've had so far, I've taught them the rules and they learn.