Playing Nice

Abbie made a friend at the mall playground tonight. Abbie and this slightly older redheaded girl played together for the better part of a half-hour. They hugged. They laughed. They ran around the place holding hands. Best of all, Abbie never screamed or tried to run out of the playground.

After we drug her out of the playground screaming, we asked her about her friend. Yes, they had fun she told us. She said they rode the crocodile, which is true. They spent much time sitting on top of a crocodile slide and laughing, possibly because they were preventing any other children from enjoying it. We asked for her friend’s name, and she told us. We couldn’t understand what she said, but she at least had an answer.

Until recently, most of her peer-to-peer interaction has involved stealing toys and finding uninhabited corners to play. It’s good to see her playing with others. Now if only she’d play with her brothers as nicely.