Parenting is a constant exercise in patience. That said, nothing makes me more impatient than politely waiting for a turn with the swings on the playground. And waiting. And waiting. And 30 minutes later, still waiting.
I honestly try to distract my little guy to other toys, to play iSpy, to sing a song, to do something other than focus on the fact that some other kid has been monopolizing the swing for 30 minutes and shows no sign of leaving anytime soon. Meanwhile, I’m internally bracing myself against my child’s impending tantrum.
I know what he wants. He wants a turn on the swing, his favorite thing in park, possibly the world. I just don’t know how to get it for him.
I’ve tried different tactics, none of them very successfully. I’ve encouraged my child to ask for a turn, I’ve politely asked the other mother for a turn. I’ve tried self-deprecating humor. I’ve even been that passive aggressive bitch so tells her child, loudly enough for the other parent to hear, “I’m sure he’ll give you a turn soon.” I’ve even been tempted to bring Starbucks cards to the park to bribe other parents in these situations.
The results? They’re mixed. Sometimes you get a really nice parent who was so focused on their child or their own thoughts that didn’t realize you were waiting. Other times, you get the parent who is so thrilled their kid is screaming that they’re reluctant to take him off the swing. I’ve certainly had days like that, you know the kind that start at 5 a.m. and by 2:00 p.m. you are so fried that no amount of money would get you to haul your peaceful, happy child off the one toy that is preventing the next meltdown.
So what can we do? Unlike the gym which limits the time we can spend on exercise machines when others are waiting, there really are no official rules of the playground. I could use a few new tools if anyone is willing to share!
Can my kid please have a turn on the swings?
Parenting is a constant exercise in patience. That said, nothing makes me more impatient than politely waiting for a turn with the swings on the playground. And waiting. And waiting. And 30 minutes later, still waiting.
I know what he wants. He wants a turn on the swing, his favorite thing in park, possibly the world. I just don’t know how to get it for him.
I’ve tried different tactics, none of them very successfully. I’ve encouraged my child to ask for a turn, I’ve politely asked the other mother for a turn. I’ve tried self-deprecating humor. I’ve even been that passive aggressive bitch so tells her child, loudly enough for the other parent to hear, “I’m sure he’ll give you a turn soon.” I’ve even been tempted to bring Starbucks cards to the park to bribe other parents in these situations.
The results? They’re mixed. Sometimes you get a really nice parent who was so focused on their child or their own thoughts that didn’t realize you were waiting. Other times, you get the parent who is so thrilled their kid is screaming that they’re reluctant to take him off the swing. I’ve certainly had days like that, you know the kind that start at 5 a.m. and by 2:00 p.m. you are so fried that no amount of money would get you to haul your peaceful, happy child off the one toy that is preventing the next meltdown.
So what can we do? Unlike the gym which limits the time we can spend on exercise machines when others are waiting, there really are no official rules of the playground. I could use a few new tools if anyone is willing to share!