Mom Asks Little Boy To Leave Playground So Her Daughter And Friends Can Have ‘Girls-Only’ Playdate
September 9, 2019
source: iStock
Being a parent is never easy. There are certain situations that arise where we constantly have to question our judgment. The story we’re about to share with you is one such instance, and should definitely make all the parents (and grandparents) out there consider if they’ve ever done something similar.
Advice columnist Carolyn Hax of The Washington Post received a question from a mother titled “playground drama.” This was the mom’s post:
“I have a daughter and some other moms of daughters and I have started getting together at a local playground at a set time each week. Recently a mom of a boy brought her son to the playground at the same time we were there. I asked her (nicely, I thought) if she would mind leaving because we had wanted it to be a girls-only time. She refused and seemed angry at me. If she comes back, is there a better way I can approach her? This has been such a sweet time for moms and daughters and having a boy there is naturally going to change things. We live in a world where boys get everything and girls are left with the crumbs, and I would think this mom would realize that, but she seems to think her son is entitled to crash this girls-only time. I know I can’t legally keep her from a public park, but can I appeal to her better nature?”
Of course, this situation raises a number of problems, all of which Carolyn addressed in her response. “That kid is a human being–not with privileged little man feelings, either, but with feelings, period. Perhaps even a disposition that fit better into your idea of girl behavior than one or more of the girls there,” replied Carolyn.
Carolyn also raised perhaps the most obvious point about the entire situation, too. “If you’re going to have an exclusive gathering, then host it on private property. And if you’re going to accuse anyone of being ‘entitled,’ then ask yourself who was claiming possession of public space for her own purposes,” Carolyn said. Moral of the story? Just like Carolyn pointed out, if you’re that focused on having an exclusive gathering, you need to do so on private property. And you should always consider the feelings and point of view of the other children and parents involved.
