[blparent] playgrounds and climbing structures

Wed Sep 19 20:58:17 UTC 2012

No problem. Always happy to help. Also, I really like going to parks after
school has started--especially in the morning or early afternoon. It seems
as if, at least around here, there is less kid traffic at these times which
makes it easier to move around and explore. Certainly I have been to my
share of playgrounds during peek times as well, but it's sometimes really
nice to go at off peek hours. Of course that means you have to be home
during the day, and I don't know what your work schedule is like, so this
may not be possible. Just another thought for what it's worth.
Melissa

-----Original Message-----
From: blparent-bounces at nfbnet.org [mailto:blparent-bounces at nfbnet.org] On
Behalf Of Ronit Ovadia Mazzoni
Sent: Wednesday, September 19, 2012 4:40 PM
To: 'Blind Parents Mailing List'
Subject: Re: [blparent] playgrounds and climbing structures

Hi Melissa,
Thanks so much, this really does help. I always appreciate hearing your
experiences, and am glad you've found the leash and cane helpful. I will be
more prepared next time I go and see how those things work out for me. I am
not even sure if we'll be going to the same park, we are still scoping out
parks that we like, but I want to have all the tools available to me so that
my son can explore safely.
Thanks so much for your thoughts. 
Ronit

-----Original Message-----
From: blparent-bounces at nfbnet.org [mailto:blparent-bounces at nfbnet.org] On
Behalf Of Melissa Ann Riccobono
Sent: Wednesday, September 19, 2012 6:32 AM
To: 'Blind Parents Mailing List'
Subject: Re: [blparent] playgrounds and climbing structures

Ah, playgrounds... Tons of fun, but also challenges for sure. Here are a few
things I've found helpful when climbing around on playgrounds with my kids.
First of all, as you've all ready said, a bell on my kids--usually on their
shoes--for me is a must. This is especially true as they get older and can
do some independent climbing/playing. I also usually used a backpack harness
to keep track of my kids on climbing structures. This gives them some
freedom to move/climb ahead of me, but I still have a hold of them. Of
course, wearing a harness presents its own challenges. Sometimes I was
afraid that my child was going to get tangled up in the leash. In those
instances, I would remove the leash for a short period of time and just made
sure I stayed close. Also, I always have my cane with me while I climb. I
use a folding cane--actually a telescoping one--so I can easily collapse it
when necessary. When it is collapsed, I usually stick it in my belt, or in
the waisteband of my pants. It is a little clumsy at first, but I found
having it was much more preferable to not having it and really wanting it in
order to explore what was ahead. Of course it is not useful on ladders, but
it is tremendously useful when on a flat surface with steps--which seem to
be more common on climbing structures these days. Also, while holding the
leash of a harness, I had the freedom to walk more beside my kids and I
could use the cane a bit in front of them to at least scope out the area a
bit. I don't move the cane back and forth in a normal arc in those
instances, but I can use it to explore at least a little on each side, and
to detect drop offs, which were my biggest concern when my kids were early
walkers. I hope I'm explaining that clearly enough--please let me know if
you want more clarification.
	I am usually the only mom on the structure. This never bothers me
either because I want to know my kids are safe. It is a little annoying at
times though because I feel as if I really don't get to meet and talk with
other parents who are all seeming to have a grand old time together while
their children play. 
I hope some of my experiences help. The important thing is that you are out
with your son and the two of you are making new discoveries together.
Melissa

-----Original Message-----
From: blparent-bounces at nfbnet.org [mailto:blparent-bounces at nfbnet.org] On
Behalf Of Ronit Ovadia Mazzoni
Sent: Tuesday, September 18, 2012 5:13 PM
To: 'Blind Parents Mailing List'
Subject: [blparent] playgrounds and climbing structures

Hi everyone,
I know this topic has been discussed before here but I wanted to share my
experience with a playground that I had last week to see if any of you had
any suggestions for me.

Last week I took my 17-month-old son to a playground that had a toddler
climing structure. It was quite large and had several slides and bridges
attached to it. I went with a few other moms so I wasn't there alone but
when my son wanted to climb on the structure, I wanted to follow him. I
climbed up after him and kept a hand on him all the time. HE's a new walker
and I was afraid he wouldn't know better if he got too close to an edge
where he could fall off. I had never been to this park before and wasn't
familiar with the structure. I asked the moms to describe to me what was
ahead of me if I turned a certain direction on the structure since I
couldn't easily bring my cane up there. My son was frustrated that I had a
hand onhim the whole time but I was afraid to let him go too far ahead of me
without knowing what was in front of us. It was ok but I felt very
uncomfortable with having to ask for so much help and also I was the only
mom up there on the structure. I"m not as bothered  by this, but I'm
wondering if there is an easier way to do this. I know if I got familiar
with a place, it would probably be easier, but it wasn't possible with this
situation. I had a bell on my son but now that he's walking, I'm more
nervous. Also since I couldn't have my cane with me, I felt more nervous and
less able to explore quickly.

Thanks for any advice you can give.
Ronit

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