Life Isn't an Amusement Park

Yesterday, I was reminiscing about the trips my family used to take to Indiana Beach every summer. (For those not from the Midwest, Indiana Beach is the poor man's Cedar Point or Six Flags...there are booths and rides and a waterpark, all proving "There is More Than Corn in Indiana." But not much more.)

Anyway, when were were young, my brother, Tim, and I thought this little amusement park was the best thing ever. We loved our vacations to the lake, and our parents took us to the fair most years, too. But we couldn't afford tokens or tickets for carnival rides. That is, until we took company-paid trips to Indiana Beach.

I remember the first summer we both measured more than 48 inches tall--enough to ride the crowd-pleasing Cornball Express. As soon as we got off the roller coaster, we would hop the rails and jump right back in line.

We always whined when it was time to stop for lunch with my dad's coworkers. Luckily, the tent in which we pic-nicked was close to the "Kiddie Land" section of the park, and Mom and Dad usually gave us permission to explore those rides on our own, while they finished talking with friends. (During this part of the day, our goal was to get our saucers to spin the fastest...and then we really regretted stopping for lunch.)

One sumer, at the end of a long day full of walking and riding and swimming, I distinctly remember looking at Tim and saying, "Hey! We didn't fight once all day!" And he responded in equally pleased amazement. "That's true! What a good trip!"

My parents laughed at our observation, but it really was an accomplishment to us. When we were home, under ordinary circumstances, my brother and I would bicker at least a couple times a day. Sometimes we would play football or ride bikes with friends, which helped keep the peace a little longer. But arguments were so common, it surprised us when we got along for more than a few hours.

Really, we notice this same phenomenon at the daycare, and we plan our schedule accordingly. When the big kids are at school, we allow the well-behaved young kids more free-choice time. But, as soon as the schoolagers come back, we have snack on the table, followed immediately by outside time. The more we cram the afternoon with activity, the less opportunity they have to fight.

This is typical of kids. But I know adults who still require this accomodation. They need plenty of excitement and out-of-the-ordinary distractions just to play nice with their spouse or kids. These are the same families who buy Big Kid Toys, like vehicles, videogames, and expensive vacations, because they know fewer arguments ensue when all brains are numbed with activity. And when life steers toward monotany--as it's bound to do--nobody knows how to get along.

The problem is, life isn't an amusment park. Even with tons of money and attempts to keep busy constantly, it's impossible to create excitement all the time. And, if you need some type of adreneline rush just to keep the peace in your family, something isn't right. Maybe it's time to grow up.

It's easy to get along when you're having a good time. But, it takes a selfless person--an adult--to play nice with others in all circumstances.