The Golden Rules of Sharing...

Having 3 toddlers is a difficult plight. Even my lovely nanny is looking a little more worn these days. One of our biggest issues is sharing. It is always very difficult to teach this basic concept. You turn your back for one moment you suddenly have a mosh pit of 2 or more toddlers killing each other for a prized item.

It has made me realize we many "golden rules" in our family...

1. What's mine is mine, and what your's is mine! We see this often with cool toys. Callum got two Elmo dolls for his birthday so Harmon feels Callum MUST share. When Harmon has two Thomas mini-trains those are not to be shared. Harmon needs both.
2. You get what you get and don't throw a fit! One of Harm's teachers must have taught him this saying b/c he says it all the time. It is his favorite saying when he is sharing his trains. If Cally or Rachel protest b/c they got the worse trains he extols this virtuous message. Of course if I'm handing out colored paper and he wanted blue he than will state this rule only applies for the twins.
3. Might is always right: This is a particular favorite of the boys. Harmon uses his might on the twins and Callum uses his on Rachel... but don't feel bad for Rachel.
4. The Early bird catches the worm: Rachel always plots behind the boys back. As soon as she wakes up she makes a beeline straight to what she wants while all groggy she has everything she wants to play with before the tired boys get off the couch.
5. Brain before Brawn: This is another one that Rachel excells at. She often distracts the boys to get the toys she wants. It is always funny to see her throw things and make Cally interested while she goes after his Cars lunchbox. Harmon also uses this occasionally. If one of the twins are playing with a toy he wants he finds something real nice and entices them away from it.

So yes sharing is still quite a challenge but I think in a way the kids are really figuring it out well on their own. It doesn't prevent every mosh pit or whining fit but it is nice to see them work it out in their own way.