Moms on patrol
My husband is the one to pick apart the newspaper in the morning, and he pointed out an article on the front page of the local section about a group of moms who volunteer to patrol playgrounds in Coral Springs, where we live.
"Moms on patrol!" he chanted with mock importance. I offered him a fake smile and started reading.
Each Park Mom visits "her" local playground at least twice a week to check for things like whether the gates close, if there is graffiti or garbage and to see that the playground equipment is in good condition, the article says. There are about two dozen Park Moms, and if they find problems, they report them to City Hall. A hometown mom who is a nurse started the group, and the city seems to be happy to have extra eyes and ears looking out for the playgrounds.
"A good idea," I told my husband.
"Moms on patrol!" he chanted again.
There are several area playgrounds I take the Man-cub to, and one near our house seems to be particularly beaten up. There are loose boards with screws sticking out of them that are used to block off trees from the rubbery roofing material ground (which covers so many local playgrounds). For months, a swing was missing. There is still a hole in the ground where a tree used to be. At another park, I found -- how shall I put it? -- human excrement in a tube slide. A third playground was once covered in Sharpie graffiti, and a worker didn't want my son to play there until it was cleaned up, so we left.
If I were a Park Mom, how would these conversations with City Hall go?
"Hello, public servants! As a resident and a volunteer Park Mom, I wanted to tell you about some poop on a playground slide. Can you take care of that for our fine city? I was fresh out of biohazard gloves during my visit. While you're at it, how about fixing the tetanus-inducing planks around those trees? Do it for the kids. Can you also pass along a note to the county school board? Our children seem to be having some trouble in spelling. That graffiti would have gotten an F! Ha, ha, ha! Thanks, you're the best!"
Could be fun.
"Maybe I should sign up," I told my husband.
"Moms on patrol!" he taunted again.
On second thought, if I have to put up with that kind of teasing, this position should come with a badge. And maybe some duct tape, to cover my husband's mouth.
"Moms on patrol!" he chanted with mock importance. I offered him a fake smile and started reading.
Each Park Mom visits "her" local playground at least twice a week to check for things like whether the gates close, if there is graffiti or garbage and to see that the playground equipment is in good condition, the article says. There are about two dozen Park Moms, and if they find problems, they report them to City Hall. A hometown mom who is a nurse started the group, and the city seems to be happy to have extra eyes and ears looking out for the playgrounds.
"A good idea," I told my husband.
"Moms on patrol!" he chanted again.
There are several area playgrounds I take the Man-cub to, and one near our house seems to be particularly beaten up. There are loose boards with screws sticking out of them that are used to block off trees from the rubbery roofing material ground (which covers so many local playgrounds). For months, a swing was missing. There is still a hole in the ground where a tree used to be. At another park, I found -- how shall I put it? -- human excrement in a tube slide. A third playground was once covered in Sharpie graffiti, and a worker didn't want my son to play there until it was cleaned up, so we left.
If I were a Park Mom, how would these conversations with City Hall go?
"Hello, public servants! As a resident and a volunteer Park Mom, I wanted to tell you about some poop on a playground slide. Can you take care of that for our fine city? I was fresh out of biohazard gloves during my visit. While you're at it, how about fixing the tetanus-inducing planks around those trees? Do it for the kids. Can you also pass along a note to the county school board? Our children seem to be having some trouble in spelling. That graffiti would have gotten an F! Ha, ha, ha! Thanks, you're the best!"
Could be fun.
"Maybe I should sign up," I told my husband.
"Moms on patrol!" he taunted again.
On second thought, if I have to put up with that kind of teasing, this position should come with a badge. And maybe some duct tape, to cover my husband's mouth.
Labels: fun times, news, the dad crazies, the mom crazies
posted by Holly at 3:21 PM
4 Comments:
Regardless of J.P.'s taunting, that actually sounds like a good idea! My local playground often has broken glass in the sand and there isn't a garbage can, although there's a picnic table.
wow, you hear something new everyday. You DEFINITELY should get a badge, some duct tape and some cash for THAT! :)
Forget the duct tape. Billy club. Okay, maybe a rubber billy club. Just so he gets the idea.
Duct tape makes an excellent mute button if you also wrap the wrists in it too. ; )
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