What do these things all have in common?
Laughter, fun, imagination, endless play, an old bandaid, a respiratory virus, and a long fall to the ground.
That’s right, the community park!
As a kid, I dominated the park equipment, made random friendships that lasted the hour we were there, came up with games like the sand is lava etc, and sometimes even ran across the top of the monkey bars like I was a superhero (when my mom wasn’t looking.) I definitely loved every minute and thought I was invincible.
As a Mom, I have grown to look at the park playground a little bit differently.
Here is what I see now:
I know that this is the hyper aware and uber paranoid side of me screaming. I also know that it’s not fair for my fears to affect my kids from making their own childhood memories, so I soldier on. I take them to the playground whenever I can. Admittedly, it gives me anxiety every time that my son climbs up the stupid rock wall that looks way to steep for a 4 year old and I hold my breath whenever he comes barreling down that twisty slide that just throws kids around willy nilly. I also have to stop myself mid-sentence from screaming “STAY AWAY FROM THAT KID!” You know the kid, the one with the harsh chest cough and the snot running from his nose so fast it’s leaving a little trail along his way…that kid. Don’t even get me started on the “treasures” that my son brings me after digging them up out of the sand. But, I soldier on.
I try my best not to show them that it’s taking every ounce of my inner strength to cheer them on and allow them to be kids. Injuries will happen, sickness will happen, but lifelong memories will form and I have to loosen the grip a bit to allow that to happen (and apply lots of Thieves hand sanitizer.)
Most importantly, I try to let them feel invincible while they can.
A few fun playgrounds we like in the East Valley:
Mansel Carter Oasis Park – Queen Creek
Desert Mountain Park – Queen Creek
Freestone Park – Gilbert
Riparian Preserve at Water Ranch – Gilbert
Chuparosa Park – Chandler
