What's the etiquette with other people's children?

[Peg]

personally i wouldnt mind some other kid playing with one of my kids toys...its an opportunity to learn that sharing is good and that they dont have to be territorial

I agree that the other mother could have used the opportunity to teach her son a lesson about 'asking permission' first rather then taking something that doesnt belong to him. Perhaps she didnt realise there was a problem? You could have approached her and let her know that your son was upset and then she may have acted.

I think parents forget that these instances are not necessarily bad but opportunities to teach their children good behavior. Both the kids could have learnt a very valuable lesson that would have added to their awareness of common courtesy and social ettiquette.

The other thing is that some parents take offence to another parent criticising their child. I had the incident where two boys (4yr) were playing and one of them hit my daughter who was only 3yrs. I immediately went over and asked the boys who hit her and they each pointed to each other. Then the mother of one of them came over and wanted to know what was going on and i told her that i was asking them which one hit her and neither of them are admitting to it....she didnt do much but did seem to be annoyed at me for asking them. I probably should have gone over to her but in a room full of kids and parents it not going to be possible to know who their parents are....anyway, lesson learnt, some parents just dont like anyone rousing on their kids...being angels and all iykwm lol.

[Doing my best]

With the park situation, I would be so shocked that a child the age that you mentioned isn't so closely monitored that they are able to approach a stranger and get the bike in the 1st place.. Then after that shock wore off, I would then ask for the bike back as DS (or in my case DD) wasn't asked if you could use it. (If I was asked, I would most likely say yes if DD was otherwise occupied)..

For the playcentre, I tend to shield DD if there are rough kids on there that shouldn't be. And explain to her that they shouldn't be there, but she will get her go soon. I also don't expect older kids to make allowances for her if she is on their age group things. But while at a local shopping centre, my mum has asked bigger kids to leave the equipment. Wasn't only a safety issue for the younger kids wanting to use it, but they are designed for certain age/weight ranges, and these ones were definately not close to the age group specified.