Playground Talk

We will never know much about each other.

We probably won’t even learn each other’s names…if we still even have a name other than ______’s Mommy.

But in those 5 or 10 minutes that we are thrown together at the Chick-Fil-A playground, or in the pediatrician’s waiting room, or watching through the mesh as our children jump around in one of those bouncy houses, we get to engage in something precious and totally unique to this phase of life…

Playground Talk.

Playground Talk is one of those glorious “common ground moments” shared between two stranger mommas.

We get each other’s exhaustion.

Your late nights and early mornings aren’t unknown to me.  I get your excitement over spotting a comfy park bench to sit on.  I get your pain as you push your prego self up off that bench to fetch a stranded and terrified 1-year-old that wasn’t supposed to be able to make it to the top of the playground tower but somehow managed to do it anyway. That’s why it’s important to ensure that the playground has a soft flooring like wet pour play surface, which you can find at https://www.outdoorflooring.org.uk/.

Commonground.

We get each other’s desire to make good decisions for our children.

Yelling across the park for your wandering child to come back is the most loving thing you could ever do.  I see you nervously looking around to make sure that no one is aware of the non-Paleo, non-gluten-free lunch that you have packed for your kids…I see it and am totally there with you.  Wishing you could afford to feed your kids the Paleo lunch of kings is as good in my book as actually doing it.

Commonground.

We get each other’s need for kind words – particularly words that express the out-of-this-world adorableness of our own kids.

I love, love, love people that like my kids.  And I know that you do, too.  There is just something so refreshing and fun and awesome-day-inducing that comes from hearing a total stranger speak kind words about my children.  We know that we both need to hear those words because, let’s face it, in the midst of our kids’ daily “low moments” it’s easy to forget how spectacular they are.  A friendly reminder from my new mommy playground friend is never unwanted.

Commonground.

In those few moments on that bench, a whole lot is simply understood and just a little is actually said.

You typically say something about my black hair and the unexpected platinum blonde hair of my 2 youngest children.  I typically ask something about what your kid is like or what your average day consists of.  We offer golden nuggets of info regarding free children’s activities in the area and typically end with a look of “you got this, momma.”

Our encounters may be short and our paths may never cross again, but our time together is never meaningless.  We are mommas and we are at a playground together.  We are both raising tiny humans and are both experiencing the roller coaster of emotions and events that go along with it.  Let’s talk.

Let’s treasure and appreciate the path-crossing that our King has ordained for us.  Let’s enjoy the playground talk that is so special and secretive to young motherhood.  Let’s not squander too much potential mutual encouragement by hanging out with Mr. SmartPhone.  🙂

“The LORD of hosts has sworn: “As I have planned, so shall it be, and as I have purposed,
so shall it stand.”  –  Isaiah 14:24

What Has Been Your “Playground Talk” Experience?

Related posts you might enjoy:

• How Are You, Momma?
• I Need A Drink
• To Mommies Who Are Gifted In Areas That I Am Not:  Will You Forgive Me?

Photo credits for header:  here

Lauren Souers

Hi, my name is Lauren. I am the wife of one fine man and the momma of four (huge) young children – three boys and one princess! I love all of them. I mostly clean up messes and feed people all day, and it’s really fun to write about it. Jesus is the rock of my family – we love and serve a mighty King! I hope you leave here full of hope that “tired” can be good.