Park Ettiquette

I never "expected" anything of other parents, except to keep their own kids in line.
I would smile and nod in passing, but I wasn't there to make a new BFF.
Much of the time, I could be found playing on the equipment with my daughter.

Okay, I read it.

And I thought, "why does the writer care so much?"

Too much drama and thinking over whether another person makes eye contact or not. Perhaps that other mom has something serious or sad going on in her life and just isn't "present" in that moment. We've all had our days.

I'm there for my son to play, not to have gossip time with the locals. I don't care if they even acknowledge me. I watch my kid, and that's what I should be doing. If someone says hello, of course I smile and say hello. However, I don't care for all the conversations. I just want to sit outside and enjoy the sunshine. It's ME time, if you will. If someone else thinks I'm rude for not telling my life story, they are way too bored with their life.

There is a difference between ignoring and not acknowledging a hello, and not wanting to make friends and chat the whole time. I acknowledge, but I don't go there to make friends. I enjoy a rare time to myself.

Depends on the park, the people there, your personality....

When other moms or dads were on the benches in the shade by themselves, nothing to read, we'd engage in small talk. Some times I found out about new restaurants or stores, kids activities that way.

Other times I'd bring a newspaper and enjoy a little catch-up time to myself.

other times there were parents there who were friends and not encouraging others to join in their conversation so I didn't.

My husband, being somewhat anti-social (self-described) never talked to anyone at the park. He'd bring a book or newspaper.

But I always smiled and nodded or said Hi if eye-contact was made. Im sure my husband did not. ;o)

I think the only rule is to watch your kids, make sure they're not going to harm themselves or another child.

When we lived in a small town in NY, I would chat with the other mothers at the park for several reasons. First, our kids were probably playing together and ignoring us, so might as well chat. Second, our kids were probably going to be in school together, so we might as well introduce ourselves. Third, I'm pretty social.

We live in a much bigger community now (with a much bigger park), so I'm usually focused on keeping an eye on my kids. Having said that, if another parent says "hello", I absolutely return the greeting. Sometimes we chat, but usually not.

I would have said hi, and taken cues from the other person from there. If it's a friendly return hi, how are you, etc, I'll start a conversation. I don't have a lot of opportunities to meet other parents, so I take them when I get them. But, I also totally understand if the other parent wants to chillax, and I'm not offended if I just get a nod, or if it's just a "hi" with no other opening, then I assume that parent wants some quiet time and go my own way.

Now, when my kid was younger and more adventurous than he was coordinated, I would say hi and then something like "this one keeps me on my toes" as I ran after him to keep him from getting hurt. So no chatting, but I tried to be friendly. Definitely would not have ignored the other person.

I read that article a couple of days ago and just felt sad. If another parent and I are in close proximity, I just give them a friendly smile or say "hi there" without a lot of expectations. I don't need to chat with them, necessarily, just saying "I see you here". If they choose to be absolutely rude and ignore me, that's really about them.

And no, while they are not *obligated* to respond in kind, it is poor manners to not give some sort of acknowledgment. I am sort of an old-fashioned gal, I suppose. I smile and say good morning to the familiar faces I see in our neighborhood or on the playground. So at the park, if someone just gives a 'hey' and turns back to their kid-- great, I get it, you don't want to talk. I wasn't trying to make best friends, I just believe in acknowledging your presence and not pretending you are invisible when you are three feet away from me. That's all.

when my kids were younger (they are 5 and 8 now) and I was a sahm, going to the park was a great way to make new friends. Most of the other mom's there live in my neighborhood anyway and it was nice to sit and talk and meet new people. You know who the regulars are and so why not be friendly? I do consider myself an extreme introvert and would mostly rather be happy alone a lot of the times, but if I'm out in public, then I might as well try to put myself out there. Sometimes I like to push myself out of my quiet happy bubble so I can try to get over my shyness. I have found that it was much easier when my kids were younger to meet new people than now that they are in school.

I say do what makes you feel comfortable. You are there for your son to have fun and to keep on eye on him, not necessarily in that order :-).

I will usually let my daughter take the lead. If she ends up playing with other kids, I will usually make small talk with her playmates' parents--BUT THAT'S JUST ME, a major extrovert.

However, I am not offended in the least if the other parents seem preoccupied.

Go with your gut.