Playground arguments

[AD1509]

I was at a local attraction today with DS (8) and DD (5). DD was playing with a large xylophone type instrument. A smaller child- I would say around 3/4 came over and tried to pull it out of DDs hand. As I was close by, and could see no other parent, I intervened by holding the stick part firm and saying “No- DD has this right now- once she is done you can have a go”. The child started yelling and trying to bite my hand. Which was ineffective as I moved out the way and blocked the child from both DD, myself and the instrument. A angry mum then came storming across huffing about us not allowing her child to play and took the child elsewhere. I feel she was mostly annoyed at having to get herself up off the bench and parent. Would you have handled this differently?

No.

Me neither

I've done the same many times.

Except usually the other parent comes over and tells their child to wait nicely... Then after a few seconds I move my son along and let them use it.

Both kids get the right messages and both parents are happy.

YANBU- well done for calmly but firmly modelling boundaries and protecting your own child.

You were unlucky that the other mum was rude and didn’t back you up. Usually, when I’ve had this situation, the other mum also reminds her child to wait, then after a while I’d encourage my child to hand them the toy and move on.

You did the right thing. Pisses me off when parents of younger children expect slightly older children to move out the way for their child. No, this is a good chance to teach them how to wait their turn!