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I am sitting in a park with my Chromebook leaning against a statue. For a long time it was quite empty. And then...some young kids climbed up on the statue and started running around and around and around it right above me. I was hoping they'd get tired of doing so after a few times around but no. So I glanced at Mom quickly to hint that I was irked (but with neutral expression on my face). She does nothing. So I climb onto the statue myself and block them coming around. I used the guise of the sun shining on the screen, which was actually true.
Here is the crux of my question: the kids STILL tried to get around me and so I asked them very softly and politely if they could play on the statue around the corner because I was trying to do something. The one boy just stared at me like he was thinking "You've GOT to be kidding me!" and luckily Mom stepped in and took them somewhere else.
I never blame children for anything they do because if they are allowed freedom to do what their heart desires, they will be very surprised to get any countering their behavior. But they will. If not from people like me, then teachers. Children must have boundaries.
I praise the mother for not getting mad at me and going elsewhere but is it unreasonable for me to have wished she had seen that they were in my space and directed them elsewhere? And in any case, is it appropriate for them to be running around the base of a statue in the first place? It's raised and stone and if they slipped while running, it would be horrible.
I do. You felt that the statue was your personal space, which is not the case in a public park.
It is a PUBLIC space. So I suppose when you are in public, anything goes? You say, to hell with other people, I have a RIGHT to play my smartphone like a radio, blow smoke in people's faces, etc. As long as there isn't a law, I will do whatever, whenever.
Yes, it's the norm. It was also the norm back when we were kids. I don't understand why you feel you were allowed to 'occupy' a statue in a public park. Are you getting your photo taken there or something? Otherwise, what is the problem with them?
I don't see that the kids were doing anything wrong. You were under a public statue in a public park. Couldn't you read somewhere else? The Mom was way nicer than she could have been.
As to "safety" (and let's be honest, you didn't care a whit about their safety - you just didn't want them disturbing you), you may have a point. But that was their Mom's concern.
As this is from someone who tries to stay far away from children as much as possible.
I don't see that the kids were doing anything wrong. You were under a public statue in a public park. Couldn't you read somewhere else? The Mom was way nicer than she could have been.
As to "safety" (and let's be honest, you didn't care a whit about their safety - you just didn't want them disturbing you), you may have a point. But that was their Mom's concern.
As this is from someone who tries to stay far away from children as much as possible.
Okay, but I was there first and needed a place to have my back against.
Is it just me? I always have been the type where if I see someone at the beach, I will try as much as possible to find a space away from them to allow them their personal space as well as my own.
I don't think statues are for climbing and running around. And this could have been a park bench, a place on the beach, wherever. Is it the parent's responsibility to maybe move their child away from strangers if the strangers were there first?
Location: RI, MA, VT, WI, IL, CA, IN (that one sucked), KY
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Yes, this is very unreasonable of you.
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I was hoping they'd get tired of doing so after a few times around but no. So I glanced at Mom quickly to hint that I was irked (but with neutral expression on my face). She does nothing. So I climb onto the statue myself and block them coming around. 
I used the guise of the sun shining on the screen, which was actually true. 
No...not the PARK...
