Big Kids Gone Wild
Dear Mouthy Housewives,
I am a happy parent of a 15-month-old boy. In several of our recent play sessions at toy stores/overpriced kid gyms/Target aisle 5, the same thing has happened—-a significantly older child (2 to 3 years-old) runs up to play and literally mows over my little one.
In situations like this, I do what I can to prevent my child from being kicked in the face/trampled over. I have blocked the path of the 3 year-old bulldozer. I have asked children to please be mindful of the baby. And, in one case I (gasp!!) actually picked up and moved someone else’s kid to prevent him from kicking mine in the face. The parent of the older toddler then becomes offended and says something like, “He’s just a kid, he doesn’t know any better.”
Am I right to expect other parents to at least try to stop their offspring from mowing over smaller children? Or am I just a social outcast?
Signed,
Your Kid’s Foot is in My Baby’s Face
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Dear Kid’s Foot,
Well, there is one solution that is absolutely guaranteed to work. Wait until your child is two or three, then go back to these play spaces or Target aisle #5 and you will be completely annoyed by all the “babies” that are getting in the way of your normal, boisterous, playful toddler. Because I remember being at the playground when my first was just a baby and being outraged by the rough and tumble older kids who constantly put my child in harm’s way. Of course, a few years later, I simply could not understand why people insisted on bringing babies to the park. It all depends on your perspective.
Now if you’re too impatient to wait until your child is two or three, I totally understand. I get impatient when someone doesn’t respond to a text within 15 seconds. So let’s look at some other solutions because you are definitely not a social outcast, and you have every right to protect your child.
If an older child is putting your 15 month-old at risk, I would just move to another area of the play gym. If you simply can’t avoid an obnoxious kid, seek out the caregiver or parent and say something non-threatening like, “I’m a little nervous our kids are going to end up bonking heads and getting hurt, so maybe we can try to keep them apart for awhile.”
If you can’t find a caregiver or parent (because they’re probably off smoking a cigarette and reading US Magazine in the corner), it’s okay to speak to another child, but don’t expect compliance. The last time I told a kid to please stop throwing sand at the playground, he looked at me like I was an idiot and threw a fresh batch just to taunt me. But then again, my ponytail and sweats may not have screamed “authority figure.”
I would strongly advise to never touch another child unless it’s a real emergency. If you feel that your son is seriously at risk, then pick him up and take him to a safe place.
And just remember, soon your little boy will be the big kid on the playground and then it’s payback time. Those babies better take cover.
Good luck to you,
Kelcey, TMH
4 Responses to “Big Kids Gone Wild”
Comment by Lisa.
Great advice. Once children get older – like 3+ – they really get the idea that you need to watch out for babies. I’ve actually been impressed with how widely this ‘rule of the jungle gym’ is observed at the playground.
But to expect a toddler of 2-3 to get it? Unreasonable. You can’t let them hit and kick, but they will toddle around and not pay attention.
And I don’t know why a 15-month old is walking around a Target aisle. Sounds like trouble.
In a gym – well, isn’t that why they have mats on the ground? He’s low to the ground. A few tumbles won’t hurt him.
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Comment by K.
This one is always tricky.
I think the best thing you can do it try to avoid the situations and to remember what it’s like in a few years and try to keep your kid from running over littler ones.
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Comment by amy.
Ahh, I so remember being in the mother in questions shoes when my first born was little. Got so mad at those awful ‘older’ children who were so rambunctious and active. Then my son got a bit older and I understood. Wee ones need to be supervised for a reason and that being they are wee.
If subjected to a public playground/playplace/store they ARE vulnerable. Yes, there are little unsupervised brats out there but generally at that age Mom should be right on the child and willing to move him/her if need be. Kids are kids.
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Comment by Wendi.
You’re spot on, Kelcey.
Now that my boys are 6 & 8, I’ve become scared of teenagers.
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