Sharing

After writing this blog it took a solid week to get a good sharing picture...

I think all of us can remember the zillions of times our parents, teachers or even other kids told us "you need to share." Learning to share is one of the classic stepping stones in childhood.

In the past couple weeks, Matt and I have been reveling in Lizzie's desire to 'share' with us. We are having such a great time as Lizzie offers us her food/toy/whatever to chew/kiss/hold. It has become a regular part of playtime routines for Lizzie to hold out her toy for us over and over again. If we do not respond, she just keeps holding it out, watching us expectantly. Once we accept her offer with expressive kisses, thank yous, and happy faces- Lizzie gives us a big smile and chuckles. But it's important not to forget that this sharing is a short-term offer- it always comes with the expectation of a swift return to the object's proper owner.

It comes as no surprise that Sophie doesn't necessarily follow Lizzie's sharing rules. Quite often, Lizzie offers a toy to Sophie who promptly swats it away or takes it with no intention of giving it back. Yet, somehow, Lizzie accepts that response most of the time. The girls do throw little tantrums when one takes the other's toy, but often, they just roll with it and find something else to do. First steps toward true sharing? Perhaps, but not likely.