We have a local community park we like a lot. It's connected to an elementary school, and the park for toddlers is fenced, clean and really nice. There is a big jungle gym and higher swings for big kids next to it.
DD and I go to this park 2-3 times a week. Once school let out, the Chicago Parks play schools started. One group plays at the big kid playground around the time DD and I are the the little park.
It seems like the people running this group are all teenagers- which would be fine, if at least one adult was present. There are none.
DD was sitting on a bench with me, putting her shoes on so we could head home for lunch. I noticed that one of the children from the group (they look to be 8-9 years old) had been pulled aside. I finished putting her shoes on, look up and see that one of the teenagers has forced this child to squat against the wall, and put his arms out. He is a little kid and obviously couldn't keep this up, so every time he got tired and his arm started to drop, the teenager made a threatening motion at him and the kid put his arms back up while squatting.
It was really upsetting to me, but all of the other parents had left the park and I refuse to confront anyone with my daughter with me. I called the parks department and the Inspector General. I feel like calling the police was too extreme, but it was really upsetting to watch this. A lot of these teens who run the grouo often curse and yell, so it's not like the best group of supervisors around.
What would you have done? I was angry enough that if I had been alone, or if one of our friends have been at the park to watch DD, I would have gone over and confronted that teenager.
So awful!
Our little Samosa arrives in January!
Re: Bad experience at the park- WWYD?
BFP #1: 05/2012 DS born 12/30/12
BFP #2: 02/2014 Natural M/C 03/2014 @ 7 weeks
BFP #3: 06/2014 EDD: 02/17/2015 M/C @ 7w2d, D&E 7/15/14
The director is working hard to give these teens an opportunity to feel a sense of responsibility with a summer job, while also installing good values in them to take away.
Henry Cavill...You're welcome!
BFP #3: EDD 1/10/13 **DS born 12/30/12!!!**
BFP #2: MC 7/2/11 @ 12 weeks
**Missing our February '12 LoveBug**
BFP #1: MMC discovered on 12/6/10