Tots; How to make taking kids to the Park less of an ordeal

Going to the park with kids is a bit of an ordeal. In my work as a babysitter I’ve made many trips to the park with different kids and I've discovered there are a few things that can make it easier;

AT HOME

Put the sun block on. It can be next to imposable to get kids to stand still when there’s a giant play set calling them.

Make sure the rules are clear and if you’re willing to enforce consequences make those clear as well. It’s not a bad idea to tell them, “If you can’t follow these rules then we don’t have to go to the park, that’s okay.” Odds are they’ll want to go so they’re agree to follow the rules but by giving them the option of not going you won’t become the bad guy. They are in control. There are all kinds of “if thens” in life; “if you don’t do your homework you won’t do well in school.” “If you don’t go to work you won’t get paid.” The sooner they learn this, the better and the easier it will be for them to accept rules without resenting the world or villainizing those who enforce the rules, which is YOU.

WHAT TO BRING IN THE ONE PARK BAG

Wet naps to clean hands, face, and any scrapes

A small first aid kit. Kids get scrapes it’s part of the definition of being a kid. A small first aid kit containing wet naps (pat don’t rub), antibacterial ointment (you can find a really small tube that has numbing agent in it too) and those band-Aids with the child's favorite cartoon character on them works great to stop the flow of tears.

Sun block, if you stay at the park more than two hours you’ll need to reapply. That’s a good time to give them the cookies or fruit snacks you hid in the recesses of the park bag.

Food, especially if it’s around lunch time or snack time. Cut the food into more pieces that you would normally, especially with little kids because once a piece falls on the ground it goes in the trash and there’s nothing more heartbreaking than a child whining that they’re hungry.

Leave stuffed animals and blankies at home. Sand clings to fussy things and it’s impossible to get rid of.

Sweaters; no matter how hot it is you never know when the weather will turn or a child will want it just because.

Change of clothes; this is really only for children who are in the process of potty training, when they’re having so much fun it’s hard to remember that, unlike last year when they were wearing a diaper, they have to stop and walk to the potty.

Bathing suit if it’s going to be wet or hot enough

I don’t recommend bringing sand toys. It’s a lot to worry about and parks have play sets, but it’s up to you. With older kids, bringing toys, with the understanding they are responsible for them, could teach them responsibility. It’s not a horrible idea. Just, for a child to understand consequence, you should be prepared to leave a left toy and endure the tears. If I found the time, I would go back, but not let the child know until after they understand the lesson. You won't be an unfeeling person but you'll never have to tell your child twice again to gather their things.

AT THE PARK

Before exiting the car, be sure to make it clear the child/children should hold your hand or someone's hand in the parking lot.

Tell the child where you'll sit and watch them. They won't care until they do and when that time comes, if they can't find you there will be tears.

If you’re going to be eating at the park keeping children’s hands clean when the table is dirty can be impossible. What I recommend, but this is up to you, when they first sit to eat use a wet nap to wipe their hands and with the same wet nap wipe down the area of the table they will be eating at. It won’t be perfectly clean but don’t worry about their little hands touching the table it will happen but their immune systems can handle it. And if you wipe their hands whenever they touch the table, you’ll be wiping their hands every two seconds to keep them clean. Don’t let them eat foot that touches the table or falls on the ground. Notifying them of this before they start eating will make the struggle less difficult.

When a child plays they’re likely to get bumps and bruises. As long as the playset is age apropriate don’t hold their hand the whole time or they'll never learn. When they fall or get hurt don't freak out, let it be, and they’re more likely to let it go.

When it's about time to leave, give the children a countdown. "We're leaving in fifteen minutes", "ten minutes", "five minutes", "one minute". It allows the child to finish up their game and or gives a child a heads up making it less of a shock when that time comes around, which, in my experience,results in less resistance (most of the time).

This isn't an exhaustive list,won't necessarily make the day at the park free of drama but I think it will help lessen the drama. Let me know if you have any thoughts on this or other ideas.