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Monday, January 03, 2022

The PlayPlace falls silent

No kids ever?
London, ON
December 2021
This photo originally shared on Instagram


Every parent has been here: a McDonald's PlayPlace or its more generic counterpart. Wendy and the Burger so-called King who isn't really a king, I'm looking at you.

Our kids long ago outgrew indoor playgrounds. All playgrounds, really. So it's been a while since I sat in the spine-killing plastic fantastic chairs around the edge, and squeezed myself into the slide when one of our munchkins needed a little extra attention.

I used to good-naturedly mock these places for being filled with germs and other people's bratty kids. But on reflection, they fulfilled a critical role in our growing kids' lives, and they still prompt smiles and memories whenever we come across one.

So when I ended up beside this pandemic-shuttered example one morning last week, I found myself drawn to the glass.

It feels abnormal for places like this to be empty and silent, and I wonder where kids these days blow off steam through vigorous play.

The pandemic is messing with all of us in ways that'll take decades to fully understand. And as trivial as a fast food joint playground might seem, kids not being able to be kids is hardly trivial.

Just add it to the list of things we wish we could fix, but can’t.

#ldnont #london #ontario #canada #mcdonalds #fastfood #restaurant #parenthood #random #stilllife #photography #apple #iphone #iphone11 #shotoniphone #photooftheday #instagood #nofilter #nofilterneeded #lifeinthemargins

Related:
An unplanned evening, November 2005
Balls of color, September 2004

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