Learning to Share

He has been snuggled, tackled, dragged around the house, and fought over since we brought him home.  And by him, I mean Sparty the Stuffed Dog.  (Did you think I meant Dylan?  I might be a little more lax with the poor second baby, but I don't let Abbey physically drag him around the house!  Yet.)  Grandma Sharon bought him for Abbey during her first trip to Ikea; Ryan was home watching MSU beat Wisconsin, hence the name.  All of Abbey's friends love playing with Sparty, and Dylan has recently discovered his doggy charm as well.

It must be a little tough for Abbey to understand why, suddenly, this little person gets to play with all of her toys.  She is only just beginning to learn to share with her friends when they come to the house or when we go on playdates, but as Dylan becomes more and more brave in his explorations, she has to share with him as well. 

We're working on it.  One of the things I try to do is encourage her to "trade" him if he has something she wants.  Generally, whatever he has is something she wants.  Even when it is something like a teething ring.  Or his spoon.  Not a mind-blowing strategy, but it's one that has generally worked for us so far.

Until Sparty.

"I like this guy.  He is snuggly & soft & has lots of parts to chew on."

(That's Dylan talking; Sparty is a STUFFED dog, not a real one that will actually chew on our kids.)

"Here, Dylan, I want Sparty.  You take this."

Dylan closed his eyes to the plastic potato Abbey tried to use as a bartering tool.

"Seriously??  You're taking the dog and leaving me with a plastic hot dog bun?"

"This is all kinds of wrong!  There's not even a plastic hot dog in there.  This is a farce!"

"That didn't last long.  Now I can play with him again!"

"What kind of operation are you running around here, Mommy?"

P.S. Dylan can't really talk.  The preceding conversation is my translation from his ooo-ahhhh sounds.  I've taken some artistic liberties.