Hug o’ War

This week, one of my library selections for Silas was Where the Sidewalk Ends. As I was reading to him, I came across the poem “Hug o’ War,” which I had completely forgotten about. Did Shel Silverstein know a kid like Silas?

I will not play at tug o’ war.
I’d rather play at hug o’ war,
Where everyone hugs
Instead of tugs,
Where everyone giggles
And rolls on the rug,
Where everyone kisses,
And everyone grins,
And everyone cuddles,
And everyone wins.

We’re struggling to teach him to be respectful when his friends do not want to play “hug o’ war” with him. When he finds willing participants, though…it’s a fun game to watch. I understand why he loves it.