It was a beautiful Sunday morning, and our family was buzzing with excitement as we loaded up the car for a trip to the nearby 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 splendidly; we enjoyed a captivating dolphin show and even had the chance to feed real giraffes. I’m still processing how I feel about those experiences, but our daughter was thrilled, and we discussed how the animals were rescued and unable to thrive in the wild. So, perhaps their captivity is justifiable? But I digress; that’s a topic for another time. The point is, the day started off wonderfully.
However, as you might suspect, 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 other adults in line, but when one is alone at a children’s ride, it usually signals that they’ll be joined by a horde just as we’re about to board.
I kept my fingers crossed that only a couple of kids would join this woman. Yet, after 30 minutes of my daughter waiting patiently and making friends with the six-year-olds behind us, the moment arrived. EIGHT individuals—one adult and seven children—squeezed past us, claiming their spots as if they had been waiting all along.
While it’s annoying when one or two people cut in line at the last moment, eight is simply unacceptable. We decided to take action. I rallied support from other families in line, all of whom shared our frustration. When it became clear that these line-cutters were not going to budge, my husband boldly asked, “What lesson are you teaching those kids by doing this?”
I’ll admit, I’m not proud of it, but I called them out to the ride operator just before they boarded. This intervention finally embarrassed them enough to retreat, heads hung low, as they walked past the glaring faces of everyone else in line. I know this kind of behavior is common, especially at larger amusement parks, but can we all agree to put an end to it?
I understand that waiting in line can be tedious—especially for kids. However, as my husband pointed out, what kind of lesson are we imparting to our children? How do you think those who patiently stood in line feel when they see others skip ahead? Shouldn’t the ride be a reward for their patience?
This behavior raises many questions. The values we choose to model for our children are deeply personal, I get that. But for the collective enjoyment of everyone visiting the amusement park, can we not all agree to respect the wait?
Let your child experience a little boredom. Find games to play while waiting in line. Encourage them to bond with their fellow “line buddies.” Or, if you must, let them use your phone or watch a video—screen time can be justified in these situations, but that’s a debate for another time.
Whatever you decide to combat boredom, please don’t make the already long lines even longer for the rest of us. Wait your turn!
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Summary
The article emphasizes the importance of waiting in line at amusement parks, highlighting the disappointment and frustration caused by line-cutting behavior. It encourages families to model patience for their children and suggests engaging activities to make waiting more bearable.