There are things I say to my child so we can leave the park. Are they all true? Are some of them little white lies so I can attempt to avoid the dreaded yet inevitable meltdown? Probably. The weather is warming up; school is about to be over, and you will no doubt be spending more time at the park. The fun has to come to an end at some point, and your happy child flicks a switch and leaves you wondering what happened to your wonderful little cherub. Here are things I say to my child so we can leave the park.
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Things I Say to My Child, So We Can Leave the Park
The Warning
I like to give a 5-minute warning. I saw a mom friend do this one time, and it seemed to work…for her. Somehow 5 minutes turns into 20, and I am still bargaining with her to leave, or trying to quell a tantrum as we walk to the car.
One more thing
In addition to the 5-minute warning I say to my child, ‘You can do one more thing.’ It seems at this point in time she can not make up her mind which is the best thing to close her time at the park with. Swings? Slide? Monkey bars? She always seems to make a beeline for the swings. I think she thinks if she picks the swings, she will get more time. Or maybe it is that the swings are at the end of the park, and then she can try everything else on the way out (she has done that before).
We need to let the dogs out
I like to blame the dogs from time to time if I can. They are cooped up in their kennels at home (in the air conditioning), and they need to go out. I try to play on her love for her dog and guilt that she might need to pee to get her to leave the park. This has worked on occasion, other times not so much.
The park is closing
So it might be a little white lie, and I don’t think she buys this one anymore, but it worked for a bit. I told her that we would get locked in if we didn’t leave because the park was closing. Of course, she pointed out that all of the other people would get locked in too if they didn’t leave. Smarty pants. This might also backfire on a mom with a super smart kid who might say ‘Yea! Then we can play all night!’ Thankfully mine never got that far with it.
We can come back tomorrow
Yes I have said this and yes I have had to hold true to my word, but it allowed us to leave the park with minimal struggle. I will take that as a win. Also, sometimes she would forget about the promise to go back, and I will take that win as well!
You know you have said one of these, or at least thought it! I don’t know what happens to our precious little humans when they hear the words, ‘It’s time to go home now’, but it brings out a need in me to just get them in the car to avoid any and all potential tantrums in public. Although, I am sure the other moms at the park are feeling my pain because they are about to experience the same meltdown when it is their turn.
I agree you need to say a lot to your kids to make sure they leave the park & return home sooner. Despite all the ideas, ‘we can come again tomorrow’ has helped me a lot with my kids as they tend to agree with that hoping they can visit again & again.
Sometimes no matter what you say to them – they just don’t want to even begin to leave the park!
These are such funny ways to convince little one so that you can Leave the Park!
This is the best! I love the park is closing! I am doing that next time I want to leave! You are so funny!
I never really had this problem with my children. My children were taught from their very first fit that that tactic was NOT going to work with me and would only result is having to do extra chores and their tv privileges were taken away. When I said let’s go, the knew they better head to the car without any sass or it would be a long while before they would get to come to the park or have any other “treat” again!
This is to funny!! I often bribe mine with a piece of candy. It’s easier than dealing with a fit in public.