There is a fine line between hovering and independence, but I always err on the side of safety. This means I don't sit at a playground. Ever. I will stand at the bottom of the slide while my 2 year old climbs the steps and goes down by herself, but I am standing there waiting for a "just-in-case" moment. A couple months ago a kid about 4 years old was "helping" her get to the slide, and was shoving her into the slide. Needless to say I was FREAKING OUT and yelling up to the top of the slide. "Thanks, but she doesn't need your help. Okay, stop, STOP!!" So his babysitter/Nanny whoever she was, strolls over, ON HER CELL PHONE, and I can hear her say...."oh, he's pushing someone, he just doesn't know any better." Yeah. He doesn't know any better because YOU aren't anywhere near him to tell him to stop. (Okay, so I am obviously a little bitter and angry about this incident still. I am hoping that in the future, my daughter doesn't encounter anymajor bullying. I don't know how I will handle that.)