I am trying so hard to figure out what is the best way to handle my boys stealing toys from each other. They are only 13 months, so explaining that it isn't kind wouldn't work. How do I discipline at this age? Do I swoop in and take the toy back or is this just fighting battles for them? Oh, I don't know what to do!!!
We deal with the same thing in our home and unfortunately I think it'll be an issue for years. Partly because their siblings and partly because they're twins and share everything. I usually sidetrack them with another toy and they get over it.
I deal with this, too. DS steals alot of things from DD. I always say that she does such a good job "selling" the joy of a particular toy that DS just has to have it! Unfortunately, DD usually lets him take the toy and finds a new one on her own. It's tough to punish DS when she doesn't give me an emotion to build off of - like crying, hitting,etc., KWIM? If she doesn't care, then should I? :unknw: I really don't know what to do either.
Depending on how often it happens, and what the repsonse from the swipee is, I'll intervene or not. My 3 year old is great at taking the stolen toy back and giving it to the one who had it stolen - unless, of course, she is the one doing the stealing!
I know my boys aren't one yet, but we deal with this problem a lot. Cameron is the thief the majority of the time. If I see him take it, I immediately take it back and give it to the one who originally had it and tell him "Don't take". Not mean or anything, just saying it. Here lately if I catch it before he actually steals it and say "don't take" he will pause for a second or two. So maybe he's beginning to figure out what it means. I don't know.
My pedi recommended that I let them work it out as much as possible. It'll help them to sort out their problems later! :hug99:
I try to let them work it out too, but only now, at 2.5 where working out things is much more a comprehedable notion. However I notcied the "trading" things really works. If one takes something, I tell him "You can only have it if he wants to trade"...My boys are older and understand this however, and 90% of the time, they will "trade". I have been pretty harsh on them since day one about sharing with "brother"...fro instance...if one wants a cookie, Ill give him 2 and direct him to give one to brother...now, they automatically do that...and If I dont give them 2, they look at me funny and say "For Brother"? Its cute. At this age though, I would just keep reiterating yourself as tiring as that can get. Since they are so small and have NO idea, the only way for them to learn is for them to keep hearing it from you, taking it away and giving it back to the sibling. You wont be able to ALWAYS stop it, but eventually they will know the difference, and thats when you can explain and repremand if necessary. HTH!
we instituted the trade policy. they can ask the other to trade, but they have to have something to trade and it the "owner" of the toy does not want to trade they do not have to. We also has "special" toys that are just theirs that they do not have to share.
