The issues that come up around the train table seem magnified on the playground. The added element of outdoor physical play and playground equipment means that in addition to the issues of whose turn it is, there are also safety concerns. I find myself making split second assessments of what happened when and to whom; and I feel like we adults instantly become the detectives, the attorneys, the judges, and the jury.
Who was there first? But who has been there too long? Who didn't say excuse me, but rather shoved by promptly knocking another child onto her bottom? Who is climbing up the slide so no one else can take a turn going down? Who had the first turn driving the jungle gym car?
One lawyer in my head says, "That little terror, who is older and should know better, just bumped into Ayeesha, knocked her over and stole her car!" And the defense attorney in my head says, "Yes, but please note that it's just a plastic wheel attached to a jungle gym and it is for all kids to play with" and the prosecuting attorney counters with, "It's still illegal. The action obviously breaks unwritten, but clearly accepted playground rules AND Ayeesha looks really upset AND she'd only been driving for 30 seconds!" And then the judge in my head says, "They're kids. Get over it," and the jury says, "Yeah, we're cold. Let's go drink hot chocolate."
Ultimately, we find another wheel to steer or decide to try the slide or the swing. We play happily with kids who aren't being rough and then we head home for a tasty lunch or a cup of warm "hot" chocolate. I chalk it up as good experience for both Ayeesha and me -- a lesson in patience, forgiveness and the ability to walk away.
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