Free play

I often babysit a two year old and a five year old girl while their parents are out of town.  I took them to the park yesterday after school. There were a lot of other kids there of all different ages so I was watching careful to make sure my little ones were safe.  At the same time, I was conscious of trying to allow them to socialise naturally with the other kids.  It was a terrifying experience.  It started out fine, playing on the playground, mostly sticking together.  Up and down the slide.  A little bit frustrating when Miss Two Year Old couldn't get up the steep slide, but okay with a little bit of help from me.  They were soon trying to play with the other kids.  Before I knew it, there were at least ten of them all congregating together where the other mums and sitters couldn't see.  I guess my teaching has trained me to step in when I have a problem with something.  Like sticks and stones.  Rather, these were big sticks and big stones.  I only lasted about two minutes before: it's time to go girls! No.  Yup, time to go, come on. As I scooped down to pick up Miss Two Year Old, I teachered it up: Are you guys being careful?  Those sticks and stones could really hurt somebody, be careful with them. I wasn't all that teachery because I would've separated the children from the weapons.  I've learnt you only have so much authority out of school grounds.  I was secretly glad I wasn't on duty at school and could take my charges and drive away.