Funny that the article mentions waiting for a train….
My years ago before my husband and I got married we went on a train trip. We were on the train and a little boy about 9years old pulled out a block of chocolate from his bag and brokeup some pieces. He reached over and tapped me on the knee and said “Excuse me but would you both like some chocolate?” …I was stunned at this beautiful boy. Both my husband and I each took a piece with thanks. The little boy smiled and said “You are both welcome” ….He had a piece and so did his Mum (or the woman i guess was his mum) and then a few mins later he offered us another piece. I thought this kid was so lovely that here we are all these years later and I have never forgotten him and I never will. His beautiful manners impacted me so greatly.

It important to show children to share. It creates a nicer environment and brings on friends.

I encourage my son to share his things but agree that we all have special things that we don’t want others to touch. Maybe setting boundaries about where they play or putting special things away when friends come over is a good idea.

Yes, I think it’s important to encourage sharing. But… to be fair about it. No, your child doesn’t have to share their best and favourite things. Put them away first. Set rules and guidelines. Let your child know they don’t have to share their favourite things but to encourage sharing other things. It’s more fun that way.

They have to share, otherwise they’ll be selfish brats. I make mine share, but of course there are certain things they don’t have to share. If a friend comes over, it’s their friend, so they have the right to their privacy. Also an extra special toy, just gets “hidden” until the other child goes home.

My kids were asked to share what they had with their siblings, but if they brought a friend over then I would ask what do they want to do and if they are going to play together. Usually it was to play a game like monopoly or scrabble so they were sharing their time.

Um yes, I expect my kids to share. I have also taught them however that there are boundaries to that. If a kid snatches a toy from them, that’s not ok. If they tease a kid by not letting them share their toy – also not ok. I firmly believe in treating others like you would like to be treated yourself!

My kids would always share their things and not because they were told to. They would hide their favourite things and would only play outside or in the loungeroom. Their bedroom was off limits and if someone ignored that rule my boys wouldn’t ask them around again. I’ve always shared what things I allowed. If I didn’t want to share anything, it would stay out of sight.

I think it is about common courtesy and respect.

I always teach my kids to share but I agree with other comments. I never thought of asking my son first which toys he may not like to share that day and putting them away first. That would make life and tantrums that day so much easier!

Interesting, made me think whether it is right or not, I guess we can encourage not sharing material things or food and drink rather sharing of friendship, time and love.

Before friends come over, I always ask my 3 year old which toys he wants to put away so that his friends don’t play with them.

I do encourage my kids to share, but don’t force them. We can give an example ourselves and teach them about the joy of generous giving & sharing.

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  • • mom93821 replied
    • 17 May 2019 , 7:08 am

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  Spot on! Parents/adults are the example.
  We are the best roles models for our children.

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    • • Ellen replied
      • 28 May 2019 , 9:36 am

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    Yes, we are indeed !!

Sharing is of course wisely chosen and teaching sharing and learning to share is important for children.

I teach my kids that it’s good to share, but it’s also okay to have (polite) limits.

It’s respect for sure. Learning about respecting others, turn-taking and “respect works both ways”.

I never obliged my daughter to share. There were some of her toys that she found very special. When kids came over she never took them out. While with other toys she had a less sentimental bond and so it was fine.

I did encourage my kids to share. I didn’t force it because sometimes it ended up with my kids having a broken toy. But a lot of other things I encouraged them to share.

I think teaching them to share is part of teaching them to be respectful

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  • • Mum2archer replied
    • 19 May 2019 , 10:41 pm

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  Yes, 100%

Sharing revises good manners, it makes them wait for what they want and it’s a little compromise. Which are all things adults must deal with. After all adults must share the tv and tv remote….