Playdates

When there is a group of young children playing together, there is bound to be fighting, bickering, tattletales, etc. It is inevitable that one kid hit another or someone said a bad word. These allegations are expected whenever more than one kid is thrown together in a situation.

But why is it that when you are at a party and someone comes downstairs to tattle on the unspeakable tragedies happening upstairs, you find yourself hesitating hoping they aren't going to mention your child's name?

We went to a party with several young children. There were two girls watching out for the younger kids. It was great to get to sit and talk to other adults, play an 80's game, laugh at something other than Mickey Mouse Clubhouse. Until one of the girls comes downstairs carrying a child bleeding from the mouth. Instantly all the mothers jump to the rescue asking what they can do to help. The fathers instantly offer to spank their child of choice. Then we all hold our breaths and tentatively ask, "how did this happen?" Ultimately we are praying that someone else will have to take on the bad seed.

I glance over and realize that my son is sitting nearby eating chips and dip. Whew -not my kid! A rush of relief passes over me as I realize that the incident won't forever taint my child as the "horrible hateful brat who busted the poor innocent little boys lip".

Why are parents so quick to judge other parents? Don't we realize that each one is secretly sharing our stresses, fears, and failures?

After spending some time with these other adults, I found that they had the same concerns of spanking too much, not disciplining the kids enough. Fear that thier child will be the out of control teen that never heard the word no.

Ugh. I try to tell myself that we are all doing the best we can. I was spanked as a child and I seem to be okay. I figure we as parents need to support each other, share information of what works for us, or suggestions if we have them. All for one and one for all, I say. Just a thought.