I am so delighted to have teamed up with Robinsons Fruit Shoot to launch the Parents for Playgrounds campaign.
Guest editing the Ready for Ten website is such an exciting project for me. As an actress, you rarely get to show people who you really are, and first and foremost I am a mother – my children have always come first and without a doubt are the most important part of my life. There are certain challenges we all face as parents, but the primary school years are an incredibly special time. I am really looking forward to sharing my experiences and recollections of those precious times I had with Lennon and James and hearing what you all have to say in return.
Our family’s tradition of play
In this day and age, children can be so engrossed with DVDs and computer games, (Lennon loves movies and for James it was the PlayStation) and there is often limited access safe, exciting outdoor play. These problems didn’t exist for my generation. There were no distractions indoors, so we had to get ourselves outside just to have fun. My mother was always taking us on adventures! My favourite place to play was Bushy Park, near Hampton Court, where there was a huge playground with swings and slides –I have the best memories from those days in the park! Spending time together, playing outside – it’s the time that parents and children really have the opportunity to bond. You can’t get distracted with chores, or the phone ringing, so you have that special time together completely uninterrupted.
I have always placed huge importance in carrying on the tradition of play with my own children. When I had James I was only 23, so getting out of the house and down to the park was my way of integrating with other mums and making friends. When James got a little older we would kick a ball around the park. I genuinely think that is why he still loves his football so much.
Sometimes, I’d let them get on with playing while I read my book for a few hours. It doesn’t always have to be about them – the park can be a time for you to clear your head too or just have a good old natter with other mums! Fresh air really does lift your spirits, and you work up an appetite, so it’s a good excuse to enjoy an ice cream afterwards! It’s also often the time your children open up to you about anything that might be on their minds, which is so important particularly at primary school age.
Why I think Parents for Playgrounds matters
In a time when we are having so much taken away from us, a £15,000 renovation bursary will prove invaluable to communities and local children. Playing freely is an essential part of any child’s life, it enables them to learn so much independently of their parents, and preserving the country’s playgrounds is an important part of making sure that tradition doesn’t disappear.
That is another reason why I am so passionate about supporting Parents for Playgrounds.There is so much support available for new parents, and for parents of adolescent children, but there is a real need for advice for parents of primary school age children. Ready for Ten serves that need and I am so excited to be part of that.
I’m looking forward to hearing your feedback and seeing all of the playgrounds you nominate.Together I think we can all make a real difference! Let’s keep our children playing!
Read all about Parents for Playgrounds
See our Parents for Playgrounds page where you can read all about how you can nominate a local playground for a £15,000 renovation bursary.
Follow me on Twitter
Find out more about what I'm up to in connection with Parents for Playgrounds via my Ready for Ten Twitter stream.
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15 Comments
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15 February, 2011
Welcome Patsy, great to see you involved with this site. Our local playground has been a place that I've always taken my son to. It's a free way for all of you to get some fresh air, as you said, clear your head, meet other moms and children and let the kids be kids. This is a fantastic opportunity for local communities to be involved.
editor
15 February, 2011
Thanks so much Patsy for the wonderful support for this, loved the Daybreak interview, it's clear how much you are passionate about helping our children continue to enjoy playgrounds.
mum
15 February, 2011
Hi Patsy, Thanks very much for this. Getting outside is so important, isn't it? Looking forward to your time with Ready for Ten.
15 February, 2011
Hi Patsy, a great article, and timely, it's right about now we are looking forward to some better weather and some lovely long afternoons in the park. Our local park could do with a bit of a facelift, so I'm really interested in finding out about this initiative. Best of luck editing Ready for Ten.
mum
15 February, 2011
Hi Patsy. Welcome to Ready for Ten and thank you for a lovely article.
15 February, 2011
Hi Patsy - great to see you on the telly this morning backing this campaign and talking about your personal interest in the whole area. And it is so important to get children interested in playing at an early age and this is something we have already got, there are so many playgrounds already in place all over the place, but many do need a tidy up and hopefully the vandals will respect them a bit more - and some of the rides in playgrounds now are amazing not just swings and slides any more but that does need investment and upkeep.
mum
15 February, 2011
Hi, welcome to Ready for Ten Patsy, it's great to have you on board and to hear about your enthusiasm for parks and playgrounds. This is a campaign that's close to my heart, as I'm sure it is for lots of parents.
mum
15 February, 2011
Welcome to the team Patsy and great cause. Local parks are so important especially as they give children somewhere to go and something to do. We would have been lost without them growing up. It's such a shame to see so many in need of repair and investment now, and great to hear some will be given some extra help.
mum
15 February, 2011
Hi Patsy and welcome to RFT. This is a wonderful campaign and it's great to have someone so enthusiastic fronting it.
You're right, the park is a great place for parents to meet and get some me time while the children play. One of my favourite parks has a kiosk selling hot chocolate - great for keeping me warm while the little ones hare around.
mum
15 February, 2011
Hi Patsy, Welcome to RFT. It's great to see you fronting this excellent campaign and being so enthusiastic about it on Daybreak this morning. It's such a treat for children to go to playgrounds and it's a great chance to chat with other mums.
mum
15 February, 2011
Welcome to Ready for Ten Patsy. As a mum and a childminder I'm passionate about giving children lots of opportunities to get outside to play, so I'm really excited to see this campaign.
admin
15 February, 2011
Thanks Patsy, your words are so true.
Playgrounds are an essential element of growing up - they are fun, free and full of fresh air, a perfect combination!
Parents for Playgrounds is a really exciting campaign and it's wonderful to read how passionate you are about it.
Enjoy your time as editor.
Eva
Ready for Ten team
expert
15 February, 2011
Hi Patsy - Lovely to see you on Daybreak and Lorraine today talking about this campaign and Ready For Ten. I look forward to reading more of your blog posts and hope you have lots of fun guest editing the site.
mum
17 February, 2011
Hi Patsy and welcome to Ready for Ten. What a great article. Like you said, just when things are being taken away with all the cuts, it's so great to have a campaign that will give something back. A proper place to play is so vital for all children, no matter what their circumstances or where they live.
22 February, 2011
Liked what you had to say Patsy. Anyone that can help raise the topic of childrens play is ok by me. I have worked in the play industry for over 6 years now and have seen lots of good things but also lots of bad things. With public open spaces shrinking and our "cotton wool society" it is becoming harder and harder for children to grow up naturally. Playgrounds are one of the few places left that children can play freely (if you take away the competitive Dad syndrome). Let me know if I can be of any help to you!!!!!