playground -- what would you have done

[GrayMatterWife]

Just over Memorial Day weekend, we were at a party at a NSG attending's house. Gorgeous, huge home with a stunning pool. My almost 7-year-old son--who is a pretty good swimmer--was swimming while we were all sitting right there next to the pool's edge. I absently looked over at him at one point, and something seemed wrong. He seemed to be struggling. I called out to him, but he just dog paddled faster and didn't respond to me. He seemed to be trying to make it to the pool's edge, and reached out, but couldn't quite get there. Then his head slipped under--as we were all watching. He didn't come up right away. I couldn't tell if he had done that deliberately or not. I called out very firmly to him (I was holding the baby, and couldn't move faster), but the attending jumped up and dived into the pool, sandals on and all.

Turned out DS was not having problems, but just couldn't here me call to him. But it was SCARY and reminded me of how fast it can happen...

And the attending will always have a big place in my heart. It was so nice of him to do.

[peggyfromwastate]

Drowning is super scary... And it's silent for the most part. They just don't make it to the surface to breathe, then they swallow water, then sink...

Idk what's up with these parents either. That's why we all need to go to live in the Imsn bubble.

Kris- I'm sorry those little 5 yo girls sound just horrid.

[Pollyanna]

A Pediatrician in town just lost his 2 year old to drowning. It was at a party, the pool gates were LOCKED, but the little girl found a way in. It happens all.the.time. and not just with young children. Kris, I cannot imagine having to deal with those 5 year old brats on a daily basis. Ugh! Bring on the bubble baby!!!

[PrincessFiona]

We are really cautious. I have very strict rules about going outside, going into other people's homes or crossing our road. My children get away with a lot, but my daughter knows that crossing the street or wandering off is a big no-no.

One of these 5 year olds always whispers to Zoe "let's sneak over to xxx". Two weeks ago I heard this while I was watching a friend's 3 year old as well. Zoe said "I can't. My mom says no" and the little girl called her a "chicken". This 5 year old proceeded to then take off with the THREE year old that I was watching while I was in the BATHROOM. I'm not kidding. I raced out the door and grabbed them on the neighbor's swing. I told the 5 year old that I "don't talk to hear the sound of my voice" and that playtime was over. I let her know that she would not be allowed to come to our home if there was anymore sneaking. She told me that I was mean and that she was telling her mom. I was one step ahead of her though .... I contacted the mom personally.

Two days later, I caught her and Zoe sneaking back over to this playground.

As soon as Zoe saw me coming she turned around and started walking back. She knew she was in trouble. The little girl tried to hide behind Zoe so that I couldn't see her.

I ignored the little girl and told Zoe that we wouldn't be playing anymore today because she broke my rule.

We got inside and she cried because she "never gets to play with friends."

The problem is that these friends have the run of the neighborhood and can go anywhere and do anything. The girls don't WANT to be stuck in my house coloring, playing with American Girl Dolls or being supervised on OUR swings. If I don't let Zoe go with them (which I don't) then they just leave. It breaks my heart for Zoe, but I'm not ready to let her take that step ... hence KidStop. I think it's ridiculous that I'm having to pay for my daughter to go to KidStop though to get playtime ... but Zoe sees it as summer camp.

I do let the girls in our house and I have taken them all to the pool, etc (and supervised of course) .... but I can't force them to play in my yard or in our house. Since their own parents provide zero supervision and these girls are often outside in the neighborhood playing until dark (and I have had parents come to my door when it is dark to ask if their child is here) there is no way that I will trust them with Zoe.

Kris

[MrsK]

FWIW, just a nod to the flip side. On Friday, I was out to dinner with the family inclusive of grandparents. A family sat at a nearby table with 7 kids who were so perfectly behaved that I'm still marveling at them. I would have said something to the mom but I was too busy trying to get BabyK under control (worst tantrum ever). I got my chance the other day when I saw the same mom with all 7 kids in a candy store. The kids followed her like ducklings and didn't make a sound - no begging or anything. They were like Von Trapps.

[scrub-jay]

FWIW, just a nod to the flip side. On Friday, I was out to dinner with the family inclusive of grandparents. A family sat at a nearby table with 7 kids who were so perfectly behaved that I'm still marveling at them. I would have said something to the mom but I was too busy trying to get BabyK under control (worst tantrum ever). I got my chance the other day when I saw the same mom with all 7 kids in a candy store. The kids followed her like ducklings and didn't make a sound - no begging or anything. They were like Von Trapps.

[Momo]

FWIW, just a nod to the flip side. On Friday, I was out to dinner with the family inclusive of grandparents. A family sat at a nearby table with 7 kids who were so perfectly behaved that I'm still marveling at them. I would have said something to the mom but I was too busy trying to get BabyK under control (worst tantrum ever). I got my chance the other day when I saw the same mom with all 7 kids in a candy store. The kids followed her like ducklings and didn't make a sound - no begging or anything. They were like Von Trapps.

let's just hope they were like the Von Traps , post maria & NOT before!