What I have learned from the playground

We are still learning the playground norms here. But I have a few of them down.

1. Many times, it is the nana or housekeeper that brings the kiddos to the playground. Not mom. So I stick out. Especially because I am usually in a baseball hat-not a thing here.

2. The little boys can do whatever the heck they want. They are doted on and indulged. Little girls, eh. Little boys can be mean, not share, or play nice.  Little girls that dont share get yelled at. Thankfully Curly girl cant understand them when they yell ;)

3. Kids can pee outside in the grass/in the trees at the playground. It is normal, everyone does it. This shocks me. Today Curly girl had to pee. She went in the trees. OMG MORTIFIED MOTHER HERE, but no one else thinks its weird. I do, for the record. But I will try to adapt to my surroundings. I am still paranoid I am going to get a ticket for indecent exposure or something for my child.

4. Toys are a free for all. There is no such thing as "mine" or not sharing. The kids ask to play and the answer is always yes. This I actually really like and I think its a good thing for Curly girl to experience this. In the States it is cool all of the sudden and trendy for kiddos to not share. Its odd. I get it in theory. You should not have to give up a toy if you are not done using it. But what I have observed is that the kids that are not forced to share just hoard the toys are scream " I AM NOT DONE" over and over again so they dont have to let any other kiddo play with anything. This to me, teaches nothing. Again, good idea in theory but in practice I think it doesnt work. Sadly we live in a world with other people and no one likes an asshole. So I like that the Chilean kids just share and take turns with each others stuff. Its refreshing. But it is hard when its time to leave the playground because I dont know how to say 'hey we are leaving, we need our stuff back" ;)

5. The ice cream man comes to the playground. Only he has a cooler with wheels, not a truck. And he just stands there and yells "Helado, helado, helado!" and the kids come a running. Usually with barefeet. All the playgrounds have sand.

6. Helicopter parenting is not a thing here. It is so refreshing. No one hovers. The kids just figure it out.