Why don’t parents and adults just actually play legitimately?

When your child wants to race you at the playground on the kiddie rock wall, why is there this assumption that your child can
’
t actually race you? Instead it seems that grown
-
ups will just barely move, and act like the Kiddie

wall is the hardest thing ever. Why not actually climb, and actually race your child like they are wanting you to do
?

The whole point of a rock wall races to see who can get to the top first. Why is there always the assumption that the adult or parent will always win? Why don
’
t they let their kid actually race with them on the Rockwall? What would happen if they did?
It is the same thing when a child wants to arm wrestle with them the adult seemingly barely even does much of anything, and it is very obvious that they are just straight up letting their kid win. Why doesn
’
t the adult actually put in effort when they arm wrestle? Why not actually challenge your kid, the whole point of arm wrestling is to see who is strong stronger. Again why is there always the assumption that their kid can
’
t win in arm wrestling? Why doesn
’
t the adult actually play an actual arm wrestling match against them to see who would win?
I have also noticed this when parents have a running relay race with their child. Why don
’
t the parents actually run? Instead they will sort of do this really awkward walking, and they end up just letting their kid win. The whole point of a running race is to see Who is going to get there first. Why not actually run and actually challenge your kid? Why is there always the assumption that their kid can
’
t have an actual legitimate running race against them? What would happen if they did?

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ViciDraco · 41-45, M

Why let a child believe in Santa Clause?

Sometimes pretending is more fun. We generally stop doing these things when the child is old enough to realize for themselves that we are pretending. The point here isn't winning the race, the point is spending time together.

2goboXes · 26-30, F

@ViciDraco that’s my question though, why do parents pretend during a race with their child? Same thing with anything really. Why not actually climb up the playground Rockwall, actually arm wrestle, actually run, actually play?

ViciDraco · 41-45, M

@2goboXes Because that wouldn't be playing, that would be competing. They wouldn't be engaging with the child, they would be leaving them behind.

The goal is to play WITH the child, not compete against them. There is no point in competing against them.

2goboXes · 26-30, F

@ViciDraco it’s just like if you and a friend wanted to play and have a race, or arm wrestle or play on a rock wall. He would be competing against your friend. You would be playing against them. So same thing here. Why would you play with a friend but you wouldn’t play with your child?You assume that your friend can do these activities but you automatically assume that your kid can’t?

ViciDraco · 41-45, M

@2goboXes Why would you not assume that?

2goboXes · 26-30, F

@ViciDraco it’s the same thing with a friend. If you assume that your kid can’t do these activities and your friend can’t either. It’s the same thing. No?

ViciDraco · 41-45, M

@2goboXes The question to ask here is: Is the other person going to have fun? You then act according to what creates the most fun for both of you. Simple as that.