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All About Sharing
An Excerpt
By Elizabeth Pantley, Author of Perfect Parenting and Kid Cooperation
YOU share too! Share things with your child and point out what you are doing. For example, "Andrea, would you like a turn on my calculator? I'd be happy to share it with you."
Will you share with me? Encourage your child to share toys with you. It's often easier for a child to share with a parent, since the child knows you'll be careful and that you'll give the toy back when you're done. It makes for good sharing practice.
Give choices: Give your child choices instead of demanding that she share a specific toy. For example, "Sarah would like to play with some stuffed animals. Which ones would you like to let her play with?"
Save the lecture for later: It's easier to teach your child about sharing at times when she's not in a sharing situation. In the middle of a tug-of-war over her stuffed rabbit she won't be very receptive to your thoughts on the value of sharing. There are lots of good children's books about sharing that can be used to teach, as well as lots of opportunities to demonstrate sharing at home.
Create rules: Have very specific rules about sharing. You should have "joint ownership" rules, for things such as board games, sports equipment and other things that are owned by "all the kids" or the family. Have separate rules about things that are privately owned, such as toys that were received as gifts, or those things that a child has purchased herself. Allow children to have a few important things that they don't ever have to share, so that they will be more willing to share other less valued possessions.
