Maybe it's just me. Maybe I have a skewed vision of playground etiquette. But what's with parents just letting their preschool children run wild at the playground, with no supervision? We had just such an experience this week. Soren LOVES to play with other kids, so I'm usually grateful when I see someone walking towards the park with their preschool aged kids. And I was on that morning. First a dad and son came walking over. And from another direction, a mom with her 2 kids. What luck!
It took Soren a little while, but he eventually showed interest in playing with the other kids and when two of the kids (a brother and sister) did the teeter-totter with him, I thought we were in luck. But soon the girl made it clear that she wanted to play with me and not Soren. Not so much an option. But then here I am, the pregnant mom chasing her distract-able toddler, helping this girl on the monkey bars without the mom so much as glancing our way! And it only got worse.
Soren loves to share his toys, which we always have to have -- a dump truck, tractor, and shovel. But this little girl just took one right out of his hands and informed me that "He has to share." To which I, as calmly as I could, said, "That's my decision to make. He likes to share so if you'd just wait I'm sure he'll give you one of the trucks." Which Soren did. Yet she still didn't want him to play with her (though I made her if she wanted the truck). What's with that? So now I'm babysitting this mom's two kids as they at times interact none-too-kindly with Soren, trying not to hover too much but also wanting Soren to be safe and to learn how to interact appropriately with other kids. While the mom never seems to even shoot a glance in our direction. I'm refereeing toys (all of which were ours), negotiating guidelines, and trying not to go off on these kids all to give Soren a positive experience with these strangers we may never see again.
Once the meeting was over, this mom was one of the most involved moms I've seen at the playground, running around, climbing and sliding with her kids. But it was like her parent brain just shut off for the duration of that meeting; like her kids didn't need guidance because they were at the playground. I guess I just think that even if we're at the park with other people that I want to talk with, my first and primary responsibility is to my child. I'm there to make sure he's safe and to make sure he treats others with kindness and respect so that everyone goes home having had fun at the playground (hopefully including the parents).
Is that just weird?
Wednesday, August 25, 2010
Tuesday, August 17, 2010
A Gift
Soren is becoming such a funny little boy! He loves to spin. He loves to run. He loves to hug - twice. He says "bless you" when someone sneezes and runs to the door to watch each garbage truck that passes by on Tuesdays. He once kissed his balloon goodnight. He laughs in sheer delight at so many things.
He has turned into a monkey - today I walked in my room to find him in the middle of my (rather tall) bed and later turned in the kitchen to find him sitting in his high chair, having climbed in by himself. He climbs (or tries) the jungle gyms at the playground. He proudly announces "Ta" (as in, "ta da") when he has accomplished some great feat. I watch in amazement as he changes each week.
Soren is a gift and I try to view each day in light of that, especially when I'm hearing the same phrase for the millionth time or having trouble keeping up because of the discomfort of pregnancy. It's a good excuse to ignore the dishes piled in the sink or the laundry waiting to be put away. Those things must be done, but I have a gift to treasure and another on the way.
I read a blog today about little disciples and the importance of raising children as the making of raising disciples. I know there are times when I clearly communicate Jesus to my little disciple, but does he see Jesus in me? Do I live each day in dependence on God? I am trying to start each day in prayer, giving my day, my attitudes, my choices to God. Most days, to find time to do more than that is difficult. But I desire so much more. My little gift deserves so much more. And my God is worthy of so much more.
Today as I read a portion of Jesus' Sermon on the Mount this afternoon, I reflected on the following verses: "'So do not worry, saying, "What shall we eat?' or 'What shall we drink?' or 'What shall we wear?' For the pagans run after these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. Therefore do not worry about tomorrow for tomorrow will worry about itself."
My God knows what I need. My Father wants to provide for me. My Savior wants me to worry first about his kingdom. And when I get these things right, in the right order, I am much better able to enjoy my gifts and to raise him (and his coming brother) as children who will also seek first the kingdom of God and enjoy the gifts we're given.
He has turned into a monkey - today I walked in my room to find him in the middle of my (rather tall) bed and later turned in the kitchen to find him sitting in his high chair, having climbed in by himself. He climbs (or tries) the jungle gyms at the playground. He proudly announces "Ta" (as in, "ta da") when he has accomplished some great feat. I watch in amazement as he changes each week.
Soren is a gift and I try to view each day in light of that, especially when I'm hearing the same phrase for the millionth time or having trouble keeping up because of the discomfort of pregnancy. It's a good excuse to ignore the dishes piled in the sink or the laundry waiting to be put away. Those things must be done, but I have a gift to treasure and another on the way.
I read a blog today about little disciples and the importance of raising children as the making of raising disciples. I know there are times when I clearly communicate Jesus to my little disciple, but does he see Jesus in me? Do I live each day in dependence on God? I am trying to start each day in prayer, giving my day, my attitudes, my choices to God. Most days, to find time to do more than that is difficult. But I desire so much more. My little gift deserves so much more. And my God is worthy of so much more.
Today as I read a portion of Jesus' Sermon on the Mount this afternoon, I reflected on the following verses: "'So do not worry, saying, "What shall we eat?' or 'What shall we drink?' or 'What shall we wear?' For the pagans run after these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. Therefore do not worry about tomorrow for tomorrow will worry about itself."
My God knows what I need. My Father wants to provide for me. My Savior wants me to worry first about his kingdom. And when I get these things right, in the right order, I am much better able to enjoy my gifts and to raise him (and his coming brother) as children who will also seek first the kingdom of God and enjoy the gifts we're given.
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