I took my girls to the park the other day and DD1 (3yrs) was having a fantastic time playing with all the kids there, particularly a couple of boys of similar age to her. They were role playing as they ran through the equipment and playing silly games as kids this age do and DD1 was joining in.
One of the boys was a little younger than my DD so probably about 2.5yrs at a guess and he was making loud growling sounds as he ran around having fun. I thought nothing of this at all as I watched DD2 trying to climb the stairs. A playground is always a noisy place when there are a few kids and parents there and the atmosphere was good!

The mother of this little boy was sitting only a few metres away chatting to another mum when she started noticing her son playing loudly. She walked over to him, called out his name and said "hey J, stop it you're being silly" and followed him but he ran away from her. I so desperately wanted to say to her "oh I think he's just joining in with the game the kids are all playing and he's pretending to be a dinosaur or something perhaps" but I kept my mouth shut because I didn't want the Mum to get cranky at me for 'getting involved' as you hear some Mum's can be cranky if you say something! (I have heard stories on BB etc!). So I just watched her as she took her son by the arm and walked him away from the playground and said "stop being silly ok" as though he had done something really bad. But he was JUST being a normal two year old, playing, being wild and excitable...... if you can't do it at an outdoor playground with other kids, then when on earth can you????????!!

I love how my daughter is loud and crazy at places like a playground, she has so much energy that has to be expelled so I let her.... I never worry if she's being too loud or whatever! Not in a playground of all places????? Obviously a restaurant, library etc those sorts of places yes you have to control your children and tell them to be quiet etc.... but this is different. At home indoors I ask her to tone it down as she can get really loud and it hurts my ears but outdoors in a playground who cares!!

What do you think? Do you let your kids let themselves loose at a playground where they are having fun being KIDS? And I don't mean they are harming other kids or anything but generally running around having a great time being loud...... what's wrong with it?? I think it's vital to childhood!!!!! As it is kids have such a limited childhood these days... it's getting shorter!!!

I am sorry if it comes across like I am judging this woman for her parenting but it made me feel sad for her son.