‘Shouldn't play': Mum's controversial playground opinion sparks debate

News.com.au

2 days ago

A mum has shared a controversial take on parenting etiquette, and it might just cut you some slack next time you're at the park with your children.
Amanda, a mum-of-three and therapist, took to her Instagram to share her theory on why parents should simply sit on the bench at the park rather than play with their kids.
'I saw a reel that said parents at the park should get off the bench and play with their kids,' she said in the clip.
'No,' Amanda, who goes by @free.as.amother, added abruptly.
Expanding on her thoughts in the caption, she noted, 'God forbid, we, I don't know, let the playground be for kids?
'A space where they get to experience some freedom, explore, interact and engage with other children without their parent breathing down their neck?'
She then assured parents, 'it's okay' if you don't want to be the adult scaling the playground.
'On social media, parents who take their children outside and out of the house are called lazy for sitting on a park bench while their kids play at the playground,' she concluded.
Her video quickly amassed thousands of views and countless supportive comments.
'I play every day all day. The park is the ONE TIME they are there to play independently and with others their age lol,' one fellow parent wrote.
'Independent play is soo important! Plus, mama needs her chill time,' a second agreed.
'OMG the purpose of the playground is for them to socialise with other children. They don't need helicopter parents breathing down their necks,' a third echoed.
'As a former preschool teacher, thank you. If you can see them from where you're sitting, you're close enough,' said someone else.
However, others weren't convinced. 'Uhhhh, I respectfully decline,' said one user.
'So sad you wouldn't want to play with your kids,' another Instagrammer wrote.
Others agreed that they liked the concept, but believed playgrounds weren't safe enough for children to play alone.
'Maybe when they stop making playgrounds with random drop-offs I can be chill enough to sit down. I wanna sit,' one parent explained.
Others also shared their 'you do you' approaches, with one stating: 'If the park is your place to bond with your child, that's cool. If the park is where you encourage independent exploration, that's perfectly okay too. Neither is bad!'