NANA SAYS SHARING CAN BE DIFFICULT

Young children need to learn to share. Sharing toys and books with others who come to their home is important to learn to participate and share with the world. It is very difficult though as often we can hear " it is mine". That's my toy. Sharing the spotlight on a sibling's birthday is another tough time. The smart adults bring a little something for the other children. Recognizing the child's anguish and giving extra love and inclusion in the event. Thus the multiple lighting of the birthday candles so the other children can blow them out can help, for example.  Sharing the attention of the parents on any given day can be a constant struggle. We become annoyed with children who do not share often saying you are being selfish. Fast forward- how many adults really share with others. At work, we must share common work areas. But we all have our desk or work area. We share responsibilites in the home- everyone has their chores to do. " Stay our of my room- it's my stuff!" However, imagine the 33 year old with a brand new car- would we expect him to let his best friend take it for a spin because- "you have to share". Sharing is a gracious quality to have but one of the most difficult. It takes a delicate balance to teach sharing and to role model how it is done. Children learn by what they see and hear! If you had to share throughout your whole childhood, as an adult there may be a tendency to want to be a little possessive about some things in your life. Neighbours and friends have been discarded because items have not been returned or returned damaged. I stopped lending books years ago because some people have not returned them and I felt burnt. " Well it's just  a book!" So we encourage and help young children to share but at the same time recognize it as wonderful quality. Remember wars have been fought over sharing a territory! Do you like to share? Do you have a young child you are trying to teach to share? Do you have adult membes in your family who are possessive about everything?  What do you think about the whole concept of sharing? It is a tough one!