The playground is one of the first places children encounter social boundaries—and where parents face the awkward dance of enforcing rules without becoming the villain. Here's how to handle the most common scenarios with warmth and firmness.
When Your Child Won't Share
Sharing is developmentally hard for under-fives. Rather than forcing it, acknowledge feelings: "I can see you really love that truck." Then introduce turn-taking with a timer—two minutes each. The timer becomes the authority, not you.
When Another Child Is Being Rough
Intervene calmly and describe what you see: "I noticed you pushed Jake. That hurt him." Avoid labelling the child as bad. Focus on the behaviour and offer an alternative action.