#38 Play mates

Play mates.

They can be a wonderful asset or not such a good idea.

We were very fortunate to live in a neighborhood with lots of kids when mine were growing up. There was always a fort being built or protected, the sandbox, big wheels, jungle gym, swing set, clubs, etc going on without a pause. It actually was wonderful looking back.

Sometimes I would get frustrated as it seemed like ours was the home where everyone tended to be at lunch time...I gripped about it then but now I think "whats a little more peanut butter?"

There were playmates that I loved having over. The kids would just go and have fun... it actually was a help. But then there were the ones that just didn't or couldn't or wouldn't fit in. They were always hungry, tattleling, wanting to do something else, bored, wanting to play with someone other than who they were visiting. It did not take long to peg those....and to tell you the truth they were not invited in too much.

We must also remember that young children are very much like velcro. They will pick up just about anything. So we really need to monitor the playmates that come into our childrens lives.

It is easier when it is at the house but at school it can be a different matter. You might notice some changes in your child. We all know that children can be very mean and heartless. Watch, ask questions and invite these school mates over occasionally to see who they are.

Remember, as we have said in past blogs, these are all learning lessons. We will use all of this to train our child/children to be the one who is invited over, the one who we get compliments about, the one who is respectful, picks up after himself, takes his plate to the sink, says please and thank you. This is the one who is allowed to make himself at home and before long almost becomes a part of the family.

So while you are raising your children, take some time to cultivate some good playmates for them. It is nice when they are children of a friend of yours. Then you both can compare notes and experience all the "fun" together!

Blessings!
Marnie
By the way I dont think we ever get too old to make a friend and have fun.