Try the Back Door

Thanksgiving weekend 2012--a cold, gusty, gray day in a Minnesota residential playpark--a tiny brother and his small, big sister were swinging in adjacent infant swings. The sister asked to be removed from the swing. The woman with her, faced her and lifter her. The child's snow pants caught on the swing. The woman let the child down in the seat and then lifted her again. Still caught. Again they tried to no avail. Perplexed, the woman looked around for something to stand on as she hoped the extra height would give her leverage or other advantage. Alas, the benches were screwed into the concrete and the family Border Collie refused to be a stepping stool. Frustrated, the woman continued to push the crying brother in his swing to keep him preoccupied and contained while she worked through the dilemma. He was unhappy and unempathetic, and he did not feel the need to cooperate with two fumbling females. Finally, the woman walked around the little girl, said "If the front door doesn't work, try the back door," grabbed the child from behind and under her arms, lifted, and placed the little feet firmly on the playground pebbles. So easy! Now, "try the back door" is a battle cry for creative problem solving where the woman works and where the children live.