Stressing in the snow

This morning I went to the park with the kids. They had been pestering me to take them sleighing for several days already, and last night, more snow fell, so conditions were perfect. Or at least, the natural world was being accommodating. The humans were not.

In the park, there are really only two slopes suitable for sleighing, one on each side of a high hill which also houses two slides and a climbing tower. The best one already bore the tracks of previous sleigh-rides, fanning out to either side of the central crest. It was popular because it is a long, gently undulating slope without obstacles. Except of course all the people (adults and children) who were climbing up the same hill as everyone wanted to go down, instead of using the stairs.

Being quite safety-conscious myself, I insisted my children use this route. Then, once we had reached the top, I would tell them to wait until everyone was either out of the way, or were at least aware that we were coming down (this was even more important in our case, because they were slightly bigger than most other children, and with a heavier sled). But no-one else followed my example, and while we were there, more and more people arrived, and not a single parent used the stairs. In the end, it became impossible to get down the hill without risking hitting someone else, and I gave up. Luckily, my children quickly found other fun (but safer) things to do.

I however am still stressed by the experience. I know I should learn to accept that things are not always as they should be, but I find this needless risk-taking too silly for words. While we were there, I saw three accidents (none very serious, luckily) and half a dozen really close calls, some of which could have easily end up much worse.

But, to be completely honest, I am almost as upset by the lack of consideration, and by the fact that I am basically being punished for behaving responsibly. I had absolutely no fun whatsoever, and I will definitely think twice before going back.