Lord of the Flies

Tess cannot wait to go to her babysitter's house every week. She talks about her two friends (Ime and Sebastian, both a year older than her) almost every day. When we get to the building, she starts kicking her legs and when I let her out of the stroller, she runs down the hall squealing with joy. When I pick her up, she never wants to leave. Today she told me, "Tess stay," in response to my news that it was time to go home.

So it's interesting for me to notice how much time these three spend arguing over toys. They also play nicely together, but nonetheless, a good portion of the playtime is all about resolving who gets what and for how long. Objects that had no value suddenly become highly valuable and everybody wants IT. Moments later, the IT has changed.

Today as I was saying good-bye, there was a conflict over a container of crayons. Tess and Ime were both grabbing it, and Tess's whole body was tensed in an effort to hold on. I had her take a few deep breaths and we worked out a solution.

Then I went into Macy's to do a little shopping for myself. I showed up and learned that today is a huge ONE DAY SALE. Oh dear. As I walked through the handbag department, the frenzy in the air was palpable. Women were walking around with ten or more handbags. Other women were throwing handbags aside as they searched through the clearance bin. I felt nervous and like I was going to miss something very important, even though I had no intention of buying a handbag. It was like I was back with the toddlers.

What's valuable and why? The politics of play, sharing, and limited resources. All complicated stuff that apparently we never outgrow.