toypup wrote:
> Here I am at the community wading pool. It is shallow enough for
> toddlers to walk in. We brought a few toys for the kids, like a ring
> and a raft. A rather large family comes to share the pool. They didn't
> bring toys for their kids. Their kids played with our kids' toys and
> other's toys, which we didn't mind. When it was time to leave, I
> approached a 2-3 yo who had our ring. As I approached, her older
> sister, around 10 yo, told her we were leaving and we needed it back.
> When I got to her, I told her we were leaving and we needed it back.
> Since it's a rather large tube and I don't think she could take it off
> herself, I helped take it off. She did not fight or anything but she
> did not understand, so when I left, she started crying. I shouted an
> apology to her from where I was when I saw her crying. Her mom came
> over and told us that when I want to take something away from her child,
> I need to come to *her (mom)*, because her DD was small. Seeing as she
> was upset about her DD, I just told her okay, since anything else would
> just escalate the situation. She can't argue if I agree, which she
> didn't and she just left. Anyway, did I do anything in bad form? I'd
> like the etiquette in this situation, since I hate being rude and not
> knowing it.
I don't think there's particular etiquette on the
matter, but I think when you're dealing with really little
kids that you don't know, it usually is a good idea to work
through the parent/sitter/sibling/etc. if it comes to something
that involves actual contact. I think you could have safely
asked her to give you your tube back, or asked the big sister
to help her, but if neither of those produced the tube it's
probably safer to ask rather than do it yourself.
I don't think you did anything wrong or rude, per se.
I just think that the woman's response wasn't unusual (more
than a little rash and precipitate, if you ask me, but not
unusual). If my kids are playing with someone else's toys
at the pool, I'm generally watching carefully to make sure
my kids cough up the toys before the other family leaves.
You know that the moment the other family tries to collect
their toys and leave, there are decent odds that there will
be some tears if you have little kids.
Best wishes,
Ericka
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