SimpleFather

On my commute to work the other day, I realized something. Some people will always be 4 years old. This thought isn’t a new, or particular exciting revelation, however, it finally clicked that some so-called "mature" adults never break the tendencies they had when they were 4 years old.

Princess P: “Ugh... I don’t wanna play with Special K, she always bugs me. I’m not playing anymore.”
Crotchety Old Lady Behind Me: “Ugh, do you hear what she’s talking about! And she’s wearing that to work?!? Puuhhleaze!”

Princess P: “Special K!! Get out of my chair! It’s my seat!”
Disgruntled Office Worker: “I have to sit where!? Next to who!? Yeeeah, that’s not going to work for me.”

As a parent, uncomfortable situations arise from time to time. For me it’s been anything from Princess P refusing to behave at church, to Special K just being her unruly self and throwing anything she can get her hands on.

Then there are the times when I’m out and about town and see a child throwing a fit, while the parents do nothing... not even contain the situation. Those moments are great for showing your kids how not to act in public.

In the situations above, the players involved are clearly defined, and roles don’t overlap. In the first situation, it’s my job to correct Princess P and contain Special K. In the second situation, I am in an observational role, while the other parent apparently thinks they have no role to play. Everything is black and white.

There comes a time in a child's life where they know exactly what is expected of them, yet seem unable to be corrected by such things as the naughty chair. The kids are still a bit too young and shouldn’t be expected to sit still for very long.

Around this age, the kids are finally tall enough to reach the door handle and escape from their dungeon room if it is being used as the ‘time out’ spot. So what to do? You could smack their hand, but I don’t want to go down the ‘you hit your kids’ road right now. How about reversing the door locks? That sounds humane!

Think back to your childhood. Where were your friends from? Were they from across the street? Across the fence? I would venture to say that they were. Now think about your kids? Where are their friends from? Across the street? Across the fence? If your family is anything like mine I imagine your answer would be no.

It seems these days that kid’s friends (and the parent’s acquaintances) are always “from somewhere...” from dance, from soccer, from gymnastics, from tennis... you name it. But is this a bad thing? Meeting people from various locations, backgrounds, and status can broaden not only your children’s view of people, but your own.

Once upon a summer’s eve (not the feminine spray) a young, very young, prince from a distant land came calling. He spoke of wonders and spectacles that existed in his kingdom. The princess was intrigued, and deemed the arduous journey across the fence a more worthy quest than simply traipsing around her kingdom with her sister.

So off she went. At first the prince showed her the wonders of his kingdom. There was a grand observation deck, a beach, and exquisite treats. All was well, until the queen returned home from her daily duties.