Wood Chuck

By: Michelle Bond

Here in Florida, I’ve identified basically two types of playgrounds. There are ones with wood chip floors and ones with giant litter boxes for floors. These playgrounds can, of course, be subdivided by ones with a Starbucks nearby and the others. For my purpose this morning, we will focus on the wood-chip parks and the eternal question of: How much wood, would a three-year-old chuck, if a three-year-old could chuck wood?

I remember when we lived in Knoxville; and, I joined my first playgroup “FOR CAROLINE”. These play dates consisted of five women and our babies meeting at one persons home. We would unlatch our infants from the base of their car seat, place all the babies in a circle to make it appear that there might be social interaction in sleeping two month olds, relax, and sip coffee. Now THAT was a playgroup!

Oh, how far we have come. Apparently, at about two years of age, playgroup is simply survival training for mom and tot. The kids move away from independent play and realize that there are other kids to steal toys from. Introduce: THE END OF SIPPING COFFEE AND RELAXING. The toy stealing eventually evolves into moderate hitting and possible biting. At every turn, the Super Mother must be ever vigilant and correct their future criminal, um, I mean little blessing.

This brings me to the Pirate Ship Park. It is in my top ten of playgrounds because there is a ton of equipment for the kids to play on and there is a Starbucks within 200 yards of the entrance. While having a play date there the other day, I noticed one common developmental similarity in children of varying ages. None of them could resist picking up a huge handful of mulch. Some would, at first examine it, and then let it fall to the ground. While other children, some of whom will no doubt keep the local orthodontist in business, work on the wood-for-lunch sampling program. (Gross, not my kid) But, at some point, each child would feel compelled to propel the wood, or “chuck it”. Mostly, the wood would hit the playground equipment; but, sometimes, a blood curdling scream could be heard from the recipient of said “wood chuck”.

I am pretty sure that over the past three months, I have broken Caroline of her wood chuck obsession; but, I do expect some relapses in the future. I feel a little robbed with Christian being a baby. He needs his “playgroup” too. (Okay, I need the old playgroup with him) We, as moms, constantly correct and discipline our kids at their “playgroups” all so that one day, we can meet at someone’s house, let our kids go play nicely, and sip our coffee, again. So, how much wood can a three year old chuck? Answer: A WHOLE LOT. (And pretty far, may I add)