It was a bright Sunday morning, and my family was bubbling with excitement as we loaded up the car for a day at our local amusement park. This outing was a special treat for our newly 4-year-old daughter, who had been eagerly anticipating it for weeks.
The day kicked off perfectly; we enjoyed a dolphin show and even fed some giraffes. While I’m still on the fence about the ethics of animal captivity, our daughter was thrilled, and we had a heartwarming conversation about how these animals were rescued. But let’s save that debate for another time. The point is, we started the day on a high note.
However, as you might expect, things took a turn for the worse. While waiting in line for a kiddie roller coaster, I noticed a lone adult ahead of us. Generally, I don’t mind adults in line, but when they’re alone for a children’s ride, it usually means they’re about to let a small army join them right before we board.
After more than 30 minutes of our little one patiently waiting, making friends with the six-year-olds behind us, the moment arrived. EIGHT people—one adult and seven kids—suddenly rushed into the line, right next to the woman who had been “saving spots” for them.
Seeing one or two latecomers is annoying enough, but EIGHT? Absolutely not! We had to speak up. I rallied the folks behind us, and we all agreed this behavior was unacceptable. As the line-cutters made their way to the front, my husband confronted them, asking what kind of lesson they were teaching their kids by skipping the line.
I admit, I wasn’t proud of it, but I called them out to the ride operator. This finally prompted them to slink away, heads hung low, past all the disapproving stares. I know that line-cutting is a common issue, especially in parks that rhyme with “Dis” and end with “ney,” but can we all just agree to stop this nonsense?
Waiting in line can be a drag—especially for kids. But, as my husband pointed out, what kind of message are we sending to our children? How do the other kids feel when they see someone waltz to the front without waiting? The ride should be a reward for patience!
There are so many questions surrounding this behavior. The values we choose to model for our children are deeply personal, but for the sake of everyone enjoying a day at the amusement park, can we all commit to respecting the queue?
Let your child experience a bit of boredom. Play games to pass the time, encourage them to make new friends in line, or—gasp!—let them use your phone to watch a video. I think screen time is perfectly acceptable in these scenarios, but that’s a conversation for another day.
Whatever you choose to do to beat the boredom, please don’t prolong the wait for everyone else. Remember, wait your turn!
In summary, it’s crucial to instill the value of patience in our children, especially in environments like amusement parks where waiting is part of the experience. By respecting the line, we teach our kids about fairness and consideration for others.
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