A couple of years ago I recall taking Madison to a small community park near our home. It was a cool, overcast afternoon in the fall and several other families had made their way to the park as well. Madison had been playing on the jungle gym under the watchful eye of her mother. I noted many other children playing in the park, all around the same age, nothing too unusual about that.

What was unusual was the amount of parents I saw, rather the lack thereof. As I looked around a bit more I saw several vehicles parked in the lot, that is where I found the missing parents. Each one preoccupied with their phone, coffee drinks, or other distraction. 

I did notice one woman standing nearby under a magnolia tree with a baby strapped to her chest. She too had been texting for what seemed like forever while her older child began to throw wood chips and leaves at other kids. After several minutes the woman realized and called after her child to stop. 

One by one, the children slowly started to make their way back to their respective vehicles as more families arrived, each one repeating the same process. It was quite the curious sight. Never before, nor ever since, have I seen so many children on their own at a park. 

Perhaps it was the cool weather or the fact that other parents took notice of the others still in their cars that caused the phenomenon? Have you ever left your kids to play at the park with limited supervision?