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Play area politics - what do you do when parents don’t play fair?

2 replies

Happydaysareheretostaywayhay · 30/01/2020 19:38

We were at a play area earlier and there is a much loved activity. My rule has always been that dd can play on it as long as she likes, but as soon as another child starts to wait, we count to ten and then swap. This works quite well and she’s got great at sharing.

The problem is, a few parents don’t do this, they happily get their kid to dive in and have their turn When someone else shares but don’t encourage them to share or get off meaning a queue of kids builds up and those that share and take turns lose out.

This happened today and the child In question gleefully played for over 15 minutes after dd had let her have a go with her mum just ignoring everyone her and everyone else waiting. Dd just wandered off disappointed in the end and what made it worse is that when it did eventually become free and she headed towards it, a grown man from a good 50 metres away saw dd going to it and picked his toddler up under his arm and sprinted over to put them on it before she got there. I’m not that assertive and would love other parents ideas on how they deal with situations like this. I want dd to be kind and generous but not a walkover like me!

OP posts:
TimeMarchesOnNeverEnding · 30/01/2020 20:07

I just outright say to the parents could my child have a go for a bit. But then I don't give a shit what people think of me. If they are being unfair, I'll ask on behalf of my child.

FREEM · 30/01/2020 20:08

these places seem to being out the worst behaviour
I'd have to say to the adult

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