The Playground Diaries Part I
Today I took care for little Mari all afternoon to give J some time for herself. Over the course of several hours and while spending time on the playground I’ve realized several things, and I’d like to share these revelations with you. All this includes a nice dash of sarcasm, so please don’t take it all too seriously.
Apparently parents seem to think it’s late autumn or almost winter already. Clearly I must’ve missed the memo that you don’t wear shorts and a short-sleeved shirt in late September.
Parents with crawling toddlers usually sit in groups on the edge of the sandbox on the playground. They’re usually in groups of two to three parents talking, while their little ones happily stuff their mouthes with sand.
Parents with walking toddlers sit around the sandbox constantly eyeing their kids. The little ones take every opportunity to get off the playground when their parents are distracted for even a couple of seconds.
To socialize you either bring befriended parents coffee or a juice spritzer. The latter is suitable for kids as well. The other valid thing to do besides drinking beverages is eating, preferably fruit or baked goods.
Parents love taking photos of their kids, big surprise. However, most of them seem to think long-lasting memories should be ensured by using a mobile phone camera. Really? Proving them all wrong I pulled out the SX-70 and gave them a run for their money.
It is hard work trying to entertain a baby for even four hours. Of course Mari was sleeping some of that time, but most of it she was awake, wanting to look around and observe everything around her. Of course that means you’re stuck standing or sitting around, since I only had the pram with me, but no baby carrier.
I have even more respect for my wife now that I could experience how much work it is to take care of a baby, even if only half a day.
I have yet to experience the really proud parents, or the anti-authoritarian ones. I’m really looking forward to that. As I’ll be doing this once a week now, the series will continue.
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