Sunset Park

For a change of scenery, I took Jack to a different park today. Sunset Park in Genesee is a short drive away, and offers two nice pieces of playground equipment. One unit is designed for children ages 3 to 5, and the other one is intended for kids ages 5 to 12. Jack played well on both, and also found time to hit the swings for awhile.

I'm sure I'll take Jack back to this playground at some point in the future, but as I drove away from the park, I was surprised to hear Mark Belling on the radio talking about an incident that had recently occurred at the park I had just left. Apparently, there was an altercation between two fathers who were attending a soccer game that involved their 10-year old daughters. The incident is reported in further detail in the Waukesha Freeman.

I am 100% in favor of kids getting involved with organized sports. I believe that sports offer a great way for kids to learn the value of teamwork, goal-setting, and sportsmanship. Not to mention the obvious benefits of physical exercise. But when parents become overbearing and disruptive at these events, it really sets a bad example for the kids. These parents just need to leave the area immediately, and stop living their competitive lives through their kids.

My message to these parents: go home, polish your high school trophies, and chill out. Let the kids have their fun without your presence.