tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7959711911969584931.post481167425398664560..comments2023-07-11T21:02:09.217+10:00Comments on Be Our Best: Kids playgrounds have become too safeJillhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04377276479172112517noreply@blogger.comBlogger5125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7959711911969584931.post-59830144709316664672011-06-23T06:21:17.553+10:002011-06-23T06:21:17.553+10:00I am a new follower from the hop, hope you will vi...I am a new follower from the hop, hope you will visit: http://childhoodmyths.net/blog<br />I tend to agree with your article because we have gone from total freedom to total control on the playground. Maybe we should have found a happy medium to help encourage self control in kids instead of forced control. I enjoy the discussion in the comments.Diane and Chadhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13433217217559506422noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7959711911969584931.post-82927485373173480812011-06-22T18:04:48.231+10:002011-06-22T18:04:48.231+10:00Well...I don't know. When I'm at a park w...Well...I don't know. When I'm at a park with my kids, I want to sit and relax from one of the park benches...knowing that they are relatively safe. I think that the newer play equipment have improved on many safety issues and less children are getting hurt now. That's really a good thing. I have children ages 2, 4, 6, 8, 10, 11 (and 3 teenagers) The younger six still play at parks quite often. My younger ones are "safe" because the equipment has railings and bars that keep them from falling out of the high places. My oldest son - 19 years old - fell off of a slide when he was three years old. From the top. He fell because the sides of the metal slide were very low. He leaned over too far while going down and fell over the side. It was one of those "rocket" slides - those are VERY high, with different level slides that you can go down, on each level. Luckily, my son didn't get too hurt on that day, just knocked the wind out of him, but if he had fallen on his neck or something, well...it would have been a different story. This was back in 1994 and we were at an older park with old equipment.<br /><br /> One thing that I sort of miss from the "old" park days -- the roundabout. I used to love that! We called it the "merry go round" and I remember how fast we used to get it going. So fast that those who could not hold on tight enough went flying OFF. And you know, all it would take is for someone to get hit in the head by one of the spinning handles -- instant brain injury. Although there's a part of me that misses that particular "ride" at the park, I am really glad it's no longer there to pose a threat to MY children. <br /><br />I know we can't protect them from everything, but when we know better we should do better, right? I'm quite sure enough kids were seriously injured by the older park equipment to warrant a change to the safer ones of today.<br /><br />What I think is missing in today's youth (as you also mentioned) is not so much the more adventurous (dangerous) park equipment, but rather playing outside in general. Today's youth are WAY too into computer games, their iphone and iPods, Xboxes and all that. What they need to do is get OUT and find something to explore, play games in the neighborhood like hide and seek and tag and all that fun stuff that gets them moving and keeps them interacting with friends. My kids do have the computers and all that, but I take them away quite often and tell them to GET OUT and PLAY! They get them back at night right before bed. When I was a kid, I stayed outside almost the entire day, playing with friends. I think kids need more of that "old fashioned" play time :)<br /><br />I enjoyed your article - thanks for sharing.<br /><br />I am already a follower via GFC but now am also following you on FB - "liked" <br /><br />Katrina<br /><a href="http://www.theyallcallmemom.com/" rel="nofollow">They All Call Me Mom</a>Katrinahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04446770591516588794noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7959711911969584931.post-15390822905453754102011-06-22T03:10:03.201+10:002011-06-22T03:10:03.201+10:00I have a daughter that almost died falling from ou...I have a daughter that almost died falling from our second story window (15 ft). Our playground is a happy medium. Anything that a child can fall from or cause serious injury may not be the best idea.BluBabesCreatehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16080986589217034291noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7959711911969584931.post-28745560122235990412011-06-21T08:02:16.898+10:002011-06-21T08:02:16.898+10:00I totally agree! But my kids are pretty much free ...I totally agree! But my kids are pretty much free range like my chooks! LOL I stumbled onto your blog via googling time tables made fun! Great blog and great attitude towards learning! Love it! I can see myself coming back for a bit of catch up reading! Thankskarismahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02529919522651147308noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7959711911969584931.post-18435577694449183822011-06-20T21:40:41.559+10:002011-06-20T21:40:41.559+10:00Yes, I do agree. Children are being expected to gr...Yes, I do agree. Children are being expected to grow up too soon and the idea of playing is becoming a thing of the past. Unfortunately, the people who are obsessed with being compensated have ruined it for the those who genuinely just want their children to grow up at a normal pace. Money talks, money rules. And that's what's happening in our society. <br /><br />There aren't many playgrounds around these days and the ones that are offer little enjoyment or fun, 1) because they're vandalised and 2) because they're made for toddlers rather than children aged between 5 and 10.<br /><br />It's very sad.<br />CJ xxAnonymousnoreply@blogger.com