I had a long chat with Ellie, our 8 year old about school recesses last night.

When the bell rang, I needed a lengthy swig from the local, communal drinking fountain.

She explained that a couple of her friends (who are best friends) have an agreement with (the school board I guess and perhaps the janitorial staff) that they are allowed one recess a week when they get to play alone without interruption from anyone else. They even wrote a note outlining their demands so the other students were kept apprised of the days they were not to approach.

A solid plan.

That day used to be Fridays but due to outside circumstances; warmer weather, beefed up snacks, potential PD Days, they have requested an increase in their private play dates to include Mondays and Thursdays.

I asked Ellie how she felt about this (both the increase and the privacy bill being passed). She said, “Well Mom, it’s not too much to ask, they are best friends.”

Huh.

“My best friend and I want to have some alone time but anyone walking past just says, ‘Hey, we’re playing with you’ and we all play. I wish we were brave enough to tell people we’re also on a schedule.”

These two girls in their isolation booth have set a precedent that is the envy of students, hamlet- wide, not just at our school.

Private recesses will soon be the norm.

Pretty soon school cafeterias will be by reservation only.

That parachute game where all the kids hold the handles and shake a series of bouncy balls will just be two kids getting hit in the faces as they shout, “Duck! Another air ball!”

Growing up isn’t easy. It’s always better with a friend.