Playground Etiquette Question

Updated on October 04, 2013
J.K. asks from Los Angeles, CA
26 answers

When there's a line for the swings, what is the reasonable amount of time to continue to swing?

If there is a line, but the parents of the children on the swings don't show any indication that they plan to stop any time soon, how long should I wait before approaching them? Five minutes? Ten minutes? Should I even approach them at all?

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So What Happened?

Wow. I find it interesting that all of you said to wait. I guess one thing I should've made clear is that my daughter's 14 months and she can't just run off when she's done with the swing. I have to physically lift her out of it. When my daughter's on the swing and there's a line I usually try to wrap it up so that the other kids in line can use it. I've also seen most other parents let their kids swing a little bit longer then allow the other kids to swing. I thought that was just a common courtesy, and just wanted to know what the reasonable wait time was. Thank you all for your responses and a different perspective, but I think some parents out there would think I'm rude for letting my daughter swing to her heart's content when there are other kids in line for the swings.

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B..

answers from Dallas on

Lots of playground equipment. Move on and come back. Asking parents to get their kids of the swings is ridiculous.

10 moms found this helpful

C.M.

answers from Washington DC on

I have never seen a line at the swings. I would just go and play somewhere else until I see them get off. I don't think you should say anything. It's a public park and anyone can use anything for as long as they would like.

7 moms found this helpful

T.S.

answers from San Francisco on

Hmm, I don't think I ever stood in line for a swing. It seems like if the swings are full you move on to something else. Isn't it easier to distract a child with another activity rather than stand around? I would just watch for an opening out of the corner of my eye.
In elementary school (where I did yard duty) the kids were given a time limit (usually two minutes) if other kids were waiting but that's because recess was only 15 or 20 minutes long.

6 moms found this helpful

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T.S.

answers from Washington DC on

Waiting your turn means waiting until the person before you is finished. If the swing is the ONLY thing your child wants to do, then stand there and make sure your child gets to be the next one on... otherwise, if the swings are full, you just go play something else, and head back to the swings if one frees up.

It's a swing... at a playground... no one has paid to be there, no one loses out on anything if they don't get on the swing. The "reasonable amount of time to continue to swing" is however long you're still enjoying it. In terms of how long you should wait before approaching another parent who's child is on the swing is forever. Seriously.

HTH
T.

12 moms found this helpful
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W..

answers from Chicago on

If my daughter had been swinging for five minutes and you approached me to say her "turn" was up.... You actually might render me speechless. Or I would think there was something wrong with you- like a disability or an anxiety or social disorder. I'm not kidding.

I've been at my share of playgrounds all over the country. I've never seen a line or a time limit for playground equipment.

11 moms found this helpful
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J.C.

answers from Philadelphia on

I have never asked anyone to get off the swings so my child could have a turn. I think proper etiquette is to simply wait until they are free.

8 moms found this helpful
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M.L.

answers from Colorado Springs on

My experience has been that if other children are using the swings, you play somewhere else until swings are available. If the swings keep being unavailable, you swing the next time you come.

Most children don't swing for a half-hour - it only seems that way. The trouble is that even a couple of minutes seem like forever when you're the one waiting. Happily, swings *don't* come with parking meters - put a nickel in and sit in the swing for five minutes....

8 moms found this helpful
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S.H.

answers from Santa Barbara on

There is not a real time limit for this. Generally when a parent shows up and my child has been on the swing for a bit I make it clear to my child that we should let someone else have a turn. Yet if I finally got on the swing and the person shows up around the same time I do think it is super annoying if they loiter around the swing.

At my kids' preschool there is a rule that when the child is using the item (toy/swing/tri-cycle) it is theirs until they put is down. The idea is that they will eventually put it down. They are not good at sharing or taking turns. I think this rule helps the teachers who may not be able to keep time of all items with all kids.

5 moms found this helpful

V.S.

answers from Reading on

Wait your turn. That happens when it frees up.

5 moms found this helpful
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H.W.

answers from Portland on

I would never, ever approach a parent to tell them "hey, I'm waiting".

Here's the thing-- I rarely ever see a 'line' for the swings at our parks. Usually it's just catch as catch can. When I take my son to the playground or park, if something is occupied, I tell him "well, let's find something else to do for now and we'll check on it later". No problem. When they are little, I don't think we need a marathon swing session-- I would push them for about five minutes maximum... but not because of other people. I'd just get really bored standing there pushing!

4 moms found this helpful
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G.B.

answers from Oklahoma City on

Wouldn't wait in line, we'd go find something else to do. They got there first they can stay in the swings as long as they want. When they left we'd go see if we could get on before someone else got on.

4 moms found this helpful
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...

answers from Los Angeles on

Honestly this may sound really selfish but I don't make my DD (she just turned 3) get off the swing even if there is a line. Normally she has waited her turn and trust me we have stood there waiting for 20 minutes, so when its her turn she can swing as long as she wants. Normally its no more than 10-15 minutes because that's all the pushing my arms can handle :)

I think if a parent approached me about it I wouldn't really care. I would more than likely tell you if it just so happened that when my DD was ready to get off you were standing near by I would wait to take her out of the swing until you came back over with your kid.

4 moms found this helpful
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S.S.

answers from Chicago on

You just wait your turn. Kids swing and then run off. I would not stand and wait. Just go to something else.

3 moms found this helpful
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M.O.

answers from New York on

I personally just wouldn't even bother getting in line. I mean, playgrounds are a place for kids to run around, burn up some energy, and be social. If all everyone's doing is standing in a line, being passive-aggressive with other parents, then what's the benefit for the kids? 14-month-olds are easy to redirect: just say, "Oooh, look -- the slide's free! Wheee!" If swings are a hot item for whatever reason, then come to the playground when it's not so crowded.

3 moms found this helpful
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K.S.

answers from Miami on

If someone is on the swing I say you need to find somethign else to do. The person on the swing is not going to get off for you. I've seen kids who will purposely stay onthe swing because they are not swinging just because anohter kid wants it. So if my child is on it she can stay on it until she is done using it. If someone else starts trouble I say we are using it now why not try again later. I will not be bullied by some pushy moms who think their kids can stay on for a half hour but my kid needs to get off in ten minutes

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C.C.

answers from New York on

Try sighing loudly.

Or say, to no one in particular, "Wow, the chain on that swing looks like it is about to break...sure would hate to be on that swing when it crashes to the ground...."

Swing should clear out soon enough.

2 moms found this helpful
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K.C.

answers from San Francisco on

If my kids have already been on the swing for several minutes when someone comes up to wait, I usually have them off within 1-2 minutes. But, if they have only been on for a couple of minutes, I usually will give them another five or so, and I will tell the other mom that we just got on.

2 moms found this helpful
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H.L.

answers from Houston on

Some parents would think that, but that doesn't mean that they would be "right". Playgrounds have a lot going on, especially with the different developmental stages floating around. Sometimes there are lessons being taught. Sometimes that is the only reason they came and the only toy they'll play with. It's nice when this can happen at an off peak time, but...first come, first served. It's nice of you to want to be more sharing, but I don't think that it's necessary, and I wouldn't expect it.

1 mom found this helpful
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C.B.

answers from Chicago on

I have three little ones and if someone else is on the swing, I tell my kids to find something else to do and we'll check back later. If my kids are the ones on the swing and someone else is waiting, I will tell them to count to a certain number and they swing and then they'll get off when they reach it.

I don't mean to judge, but I have to disagree with a previous poster - Chacha. I strongly dislike passive aggressive behavior. If you want a turn on the swing, speak up and ask how long the person will be.

1 mom found this helpful
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K.M.

answers from Kansas City on

I'm a very courteous person. If I notice other kiddos waiting for the swing, I'll give my little guy a few more pushes and then move on.

1 mom found this helpful

G.F.

answers from Philadelphia on

When my kids were that young they would swing until I got bored with pushing. There was never a line because that would mean standing there with a really bored baby. Ya play, a swing opens up you swing, arms get tired, brain gets bored, you play somewhere else.

1 mom found this helpful

K.M.

answers from Chicago on

5 min seems appropriate. However, my son is typically good for 20-50 swings and wants off ... 3 min max.

1 mom found this helpful

M.D.

answers from Washington DC on

You don't expect people to get off for you or your kid, no matter what the age. You want your turn, they wait their turn. I wouldn't leave my kid on the swing for half an hour, regardless of their age, so there shouldn't be a problem.

J.O.

answers from Boise on

Interesting question I don't think I've ever really thought about it. If the swings were occupied we just did other things. If one opened up then we would head over, but I have never seen a line for swings before. If there was...I don't think there's be a time limit. They had it first and when they are done, they are done...

M.L.

answers from Los Angeles on

I remember there being a line in school, but not at a public park. When I'm with my kids, if a swing opens up, we run over there. Sometimes another child beats them to it, but then we just find other things to do.

M.
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T.T.

answers from Washington DC on

I don't have a set number of minutes in mind, but honestly, I don't love pushing my kids on the swing. It defeats the purpose of taking my kids to the park if I'm the one physically exerting myself while they just sit on a swing. I am happy to have any excuse to make them go do something else.

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