Sandbox Dating

For weeks I have been meaning to let Matilda play in the sandbox at our local playground but can't ever seem to get around to it. It seems like too much of an ordeal. I envisioned a big mess to contend with involving lots of sand in the rolls and her endless attempts to ingest sand. This morning I finally got beyond my sand aversion and we both dove in. Matilda seemed really intrigued by the new texture and sat endlessly grabbing handfuls, watching the sand fall between her fat little fingers. She did have a gritty mouth by the end, but seemed to decide after a few tastes that sand wasn't quite so appetizing. Once we got beyond the sand-eating problem, we encountered the give-me-all-your toys-problem. I didn't think at 7-months we would already be facing this and explaining how to share isn't going so well with Matilda. Plus, I always feel nervous about the parent etiquette when I am trying to police Matilda's attempts to steal toys or tackle other babies.

At the playground today I talked with lots of moms that I have seen around the baby circuit in our neighborhood lately. It really feels like dating all over again with the awkward conversations and pressure to get digits. I would love more mom friends to hang out with at the playground, but how do I know after only a few minutes conversation that they aren't freaks with polar views to mine? Will they think I am a weirdo if I ask for their phone number? What is the proper approach to all this? Someone needs to write a "Mom Socializing for Dummies" book. When my veteran mom-friend Sarah was in town visiting she offered up her playground line: "I should give you my number to meet up at the playground sometime." Seems not too threatening or committal, right?