We go down slides, we climb up stairs and ladders

From day 1 with my kids I have emphasized the importance of only going down the slides at the park. My oh too familiar phrase is, "We go down slides, we climb up stairs and ladders."

Even when there are no other children playing the rule continues to be enforced. Not only do I see this as a safety precaution but it is also a way to teach courtesy and thinking of others. How can your friend enjoy the slide when you are clambering up towards them.

This rule is not always a popular one. Especially as the boys grow older. Even more so when they notice every other child at the playground is climbing up the slides and their mom is not saying anything. On one such occasion Ted was playing with a group of slightly older kids. They were all climbing up the slides, on top of the play structure, and anywhere else their monkey bodies could carry them. Ted continued to attempt in following their lead and I continued to caution and enforce that we don't go up slides. At one point, obviously exasperated with me, he proceeded to storm off the playground and into the nearby field. I followed him and bending over to his eye level I began gently talking to him. I told him I know it can be hard to follow rules when everyone else is doing something different. It does not seem fair but it is important to listen because it helps keep you safe and it lets everyone have their turn on the slide.

He cheered up a bit and went back to playing.

Ted continues to climb up the slide and I continue to tell him not to. I often feel like the biggest buzz kill mother.

Then came the day when I felt a small mamma victory. Ted was playing with a much older boy (7-8) at the park and (of course) the boy ran up the slide. The boy called for Ted to follow him to which Ted replied, "Okay but we don't climb up slides, we climb up stairs and ladders." And he went around the jungle gym, up the ladder, and the play continued from there.