Picture the scene. You've finally gotten the energy to organize a play date for your preschooler and a friend.
You've planned it all out. You'll take them to the park, you'll pack a snack and a ball. They'll play and eat while you relax on the picnic blanket, preferably with a cold beverage.
But when you arrive and settle in for a nice afternoon, the kids start to squabble. It could be because they don't want to play the same game. Maybe they don't want to share. Maybe the other is just looking at them wrong.
Who knows.
All you know is that you want your moment of relaxation.
Here are two very, very easy ways I like to get preschoolers to stop fighting and fast.
ONE: Take their ball and drop kick it as far as you can. I guarantee you they will instantly run after the ball as fast as possible.
Or,
TWO: Suddenly shout with delight "who is going to run to that tree and back (pointing to a tree far, far, far in the distance) before I count to 50!" Off they go, as fast as possible! I usually don't even need to finish counting.
When they return, panting, sweaty, out of breath, back at the picnic blanket, all squabbles will have been forgotten. If for some reason they are not, just repeat... Fast
PRO TIP: This is also a good technique if you and your fellow mom friend just want to chat in peace.
By the way, if kids on a play date have trouble sharing, try The Sharing Ball.
Debbie says
This is rude. I would never do this. When will the children learn to communicate and problem-solve? Children need to take turns with things given to them to play with.
Erica says
One can have many tools in their parenting toolbox.