Children today

I took GrandDaughter2 to a new and very lovely playground yesterday. Unfortunately not all the children were so lovely.

I'd already noticed GrandDaughter2 being jostled at the top of the slide so when a little boy tried to be bossy later on I was ready.

GrandDaughter2 had decided to climb the wall with holes in - no idea what it's called - and had started when this little boy came up. 'I want to climb here so you'll have to wait,' he said.

He obviously hadn't noticed the loitering Granny. I came out from the other side of the wall, said, 'GrandDaughter2 was here first,' carefully moved his foot from the foothold where he was trying to squash her foot, and added, 'You'll have to wait.'

I resisted the urge to poke out my tongue and say, 'Nah nah!'

A little after that I was pushing her on the basket net swing - again no idea what it's called - when an older girl began loitering nearby. When GrandDaughter got off the girl said, 'I want to go on now.'
'Climb on then,' I said, as we began to walk away.
'I can't push myself,' she said indignantly.
I turned and stared at her. 'Well, call your mummy then.'
'She won't push me.'

I've often noticed mums sitting on benches in playgrounds relaxing and wondered how they get away with it. This answers my question: they rely on other suckers. Well, not today, punk! (Sorry, I came over all Clint Eastwood then.)

I suspect my grandchildren are all a little shy and reticent and sometimes I wish they would be a bit more outgoing, but I'm glad they're not like the children I experienced today.