As I sit here at an indoor playground I am reminded of a wonderful rule - the rule of my childhood. The rule my sister-in-law says to her daughter, the rule I was raised with, the rule that both adults and kids could benefit from if they applied it to everyday life. It’s called the golden rule and it goes a little something like this: “Do unto others as you would have them do unto you.”
OK, I know some people who aren’t church people might be shaking their heads right now, but this is one even an atheist can take to heart, right?
Now, let’s see how it applies at the indoor playground.
Green snot equals stay home. I’m not a freak about germs, but I am a freak about slimy green crap on the slide.
Don’t let your child hop about with a lollipop sticking out of their mouth because it will either end up lodged in their throat, sticking out of another child’s eye or attached to the foam water spout that every child is dragging their pant legs over.
If you have a child that pushes, hits, bites, won’t share, won’t wait his turn, won’t wait in line - sorry. However, as sorry as I may be, I want you to own it and know it (sorry, that was so Dr. Phil). Some kids are just like that. It’s true. But if you bring your little shark into minnow-infested waters they will attack. You are not one of those parents who can talk on the phone, read a book or gossip with your friend - sharks must be watched at all times to avert attack. As I write this I spy a shark circling my minnow.
If your child starts whimpering it’s time to walk away. If they whine leave at a fast pace. If they throw a full-out tantrum - get the hell outta there pronto.
You don’t have the cutest, sweetest, funniest, most clever, most agile child on earth. We all do so stop talking about it.
If your children are taller than the foam climbable general store they are too big. My 15 year old once bet me that he could make it around the entire playground without touching the ground; it’s a challenge he was NOT allowed to fulfill.
Hey cheapo - it’s not the spot for a birthday party. It’s hardly fair to bring 16 screaming kids high on pink sugar cupcake icing and make your claims.
Please please please watch your children. My older son once nicknamed me Eagle Eye. Yet one day at the pool, in the time it took to rustle around in the cooler in search of cold water my younger son made it to the diving board, completed a cannonball and was climbing out of the water before I noticed.
So, yes, the golden rule: it’s one rule with a lot of implications. If you don’t follow it then you can be certain your children won’t either. And how much nicer would it be at the indoor playground if everyone would just share a little gold?
Well Becky Todd is the cutest, sweetest, funniest, most clever, most agile child on earth..But he most def. is a SHARK!!
Kelli of Richmond
Apr. 16, 2008 at 04:37 PM
Hmm, the sigh of a parent who must have done something right...but never felt so in the “midst.”
R. Suder of Northern VA
Mar. 7, 2008 at 12:51 PM
What about yelling at other people’s children? Am I still allowed to do that, or is that bad form?
Morgan
Mar. 7, 2008 at 12:50 PM
Certainly words to live by, Beck. I’m printing it out to keep in the event I’m ever lucky enough to have kids of my own. Until then, its certainly good advice for this “Auntie”.
Jena Patterson of Montalcino, Italy
Mar. 7, 2008 at 09:29 AM
Great point of view. Thanks
ryan
Mar. 7, 2008 at 01:06 AM
Oh, you have taken my thoughts and put them into formidable history for all to benefit from. I commend you for being the mom of a youngster twice - longer than I could imagine being. Does it seem like parents are getting less and less alert around me and kids are becoming more and more intolerable? My girl was always to one to back off and allow the pushy people – children and adults alike – to just get to where they focused on, as she shied back, with me wishing she would be more aggressive but… all in all she is a better person for it… and lucky for me… at 5’7” she hasnt been able to partake in those indoor playareas in YEARS! wooohooo!
Samantha of Sterling, VA
Mar. 7, 2008 at 12:40 AM
amen, sister.
holly of rva
Mar. 7, 2008 at 12:35 AM
I appreciate your point of view, Becky, but perhaps you have not seen my Sophia. Indeed she is the cutest, sweetest, funniest most clever, most agile child on earth. Everyone says!
http://www.flickr.com/gp/13870777@N04/3g3a7N
Mar. 6, 2008 at 07:51 PM
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