|
My
friends and I have been meeting regularly since our children were
born. We all met at the Antenatal class and we enjoy each other’s
company. We now have a big problem because our two year olds scream
and push each other over toys and don’t seem to enjoy playing
with each other. What can we do?
A
Two-year-old toddlers are not good at sharing or socialisation.
At this age time out is not appropriate unless there is a major
assault because individually they see themselves as the most important
people on earth
and that toy is theirs.
Rob Parsons, Director of Care For The Family sums this up in his
Toddler Property Laws.
1.
If I like it it’s mine
2. If it’s in my hand it’s mine
3. If I can take it from you it’s mine
4. If I had it a little while ago it’s mine
5. If it’s mine, it must never appear to be yours in any
way
6. If I am doing or building something, all the pieces are mine.
7. If it looks just like mine, it is mine.
It
is important to keep meeting up with your friends but perhaps it’s
time
to also take into account the needs of your developing children
so that
you all have a happier time together.
The following are some suggestions that might help
• Meeting somewhere with a crèche facility would
give you the time to talk and the children time to play and share
together with supervision.
• Meeting in smaller groups and mentioning the expectation
to share without making a fuss will help them to understand the
idea of sharing.
• Giving the deprived child the biggest share of attention
will also help to get the message across.
• Deciding on safe activities that they all enjoy, for example,
going to a soft play area where you can chat and supervise without
fights over specific toys often works. Music groups for mothers
& toddlers are also another idea.
• Having an evening together at each other’s homes,
when the toddlers are in bed and Dads are willing to deal with
any problems that arise, is also an affordable way of staying
in touch.
They
are all developing normally and in time will begin to play happily
together.
health
visitor
|
