Park Dads

Now that the weather is warmer, we're spending many of our days and evenings at the park. The boys love to play and swing and throw pieces of mulch into the drains, and Lincoln is content to be pushed around in his stroller or sit under the gazebo with me. Ahhh...so loving my content third child.

Because I'm with Lincoln and he's not old enough to throw mulch into the drains play yet, Jason runs around with the boys and I get to people watch. One of my favorite activities.

I've taken particular interest in one group lately...

Park Dads.

They are one fascinating bunch, and I'm here to break 'em down for you.

Blackberry Dad: His hands are tied up 'cause he's busy checking his email and fantasy baseball scores online. (yes, they have fantasy baseball, too. Ugh!) His online life is so important that he needs to check his email, oh...every thirty seconds, and watching little Susie as she manages to climb up the rock wall for the very first time isn't nearly as important as his portfolio value. Blackberry Dad is LAME-O!

Real Estate Dad: His hands are tied up, too. One is holding his cell phone and the other one is flailing all over the place as he conducts business while paying no attention to Johnny who's blocking all the other kids from going down the slide. He's loud, and doesn't seem to care that "that kind" of language isn't really appropriate for a playground full of tots. I give Real Estate Dad the stare down if he comes over to the gazebo.

New Dad: I love New Dad. His little buddy just turned one and can finally walk. New Dad has been waiting to bring him to the park all spring, and has no concept that Billy is too small to climb up the ladder. Or monkey bars. Or rock wall. New Dad takes Billy from activity to activity until he finally realizes that Billy can swing for about 3 minutes until he's tuckered out, and that his dreams of hanging from the monkey bars with his boy will have to wait until next year. I always tell New Dad how cute his little guy or gal is.

Camera Dad: He was "New Dad" last year, and little Molly is finally old enough to enjoy all of the activities on the playground. And, he's gonna capture them. With his new mega expensive and confusing camera that he swears he doesn't need the manual for. He shakes his head periodically because as soon as he's about to capture the perfect shot, Molly falls down and starts crying, or runs away, or more likely, starts picking her nose. Camera Dad usually puts the camera away after a few minutes and just enjoys watching Molly play. Silent high five to Camera Dad.

All-Around Cool Dad: The quintessential playground Dad. He climbs on the monkey bars, slides down the slide, and gets chased all around the playground. He pushes the swing with both hands, and only checks his cell phone for the time to make sure he's not late for dinner. He teaches and inspires and says "You can do it" over and over. He comes to the park to just be with his kids. I happen to know an All-Around Cool Dad; I'm married to him.

And, lest you think I'm some kind of one-woman playground police force, I'm not.

I'm just nosey perceptive.