[blparent] playgrounds and climbing structures

Sun Sep 23 00:50:41 UTC 2012

Hi again everyone,
Just wanted to give a quick update on the play structures. I tried everyone's suggestions and felt much safer and less nervous, so thank you. Melissa, I used your technique of the folded up cane and it works pretty well and the leash was really great. I knew it would be helpful but I really ended up liking the freedom it gave me and Alex. I knew where he was at all times and could feel a lot through the leash that I didn't know I would be able to feel. So thanks to everyone for talking me through this. It's certainly not perfect but I"m not as nervous to take him on these structures and it should only get easier from here. :)
Ronit

On Sep 19, 2012, at 1:58 PM, Melissa Ann Riccobono wrote:

> 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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