Toddler Property Laws

Last week I went through Big L's collection of 350 (not joking -long story) Hot Wheels and donated a measely 50 cars to his co-op preschool that he attends (ya- i'm a giver). In the bunch I included a couple of non Hot Wheel cars that he NEVER plays with. A Lego Happy Meal car and a black Bat Man car. In one swoop I was able to reduce some clutter in the kid's room (ha!)and appease a sometimes pissy preschool teacher.

Everything seemed OK- until today, my working parent day at school. I was 'inside parent' and while preparing snack in the kitchen I heard a scuffle brewing outside. Mommy instincts honed right in on the pitch and key of my Big L's screeches and I knew nothing good was going to happen next. I got outside in time to see Big L and an even bigger 4-year-old locked arm in arm, not unlike two rams with locked horns fighting over a mate, but these two little rams were fighting over the black Bat Man car.

"THAT'S MY CARRRRR!!!!!!!" screamed Big L at big 4-year-old. "IT'S MINE...LET GO!!!!!".

Oh boy.

The scuffle ended as quickly as it began, as most toddler run-ins do. But in that moment, and after speaking with Sometimes Pissy Preschool Teacher, I realized that Big L still felt ownership and recognized some of those 'special' cars as HIS, from HIS house! Seeing the scuffle play out in front of me reminded me of a few years previous when I was taking a Mommy and Me class at our local adult school. One of my favorite teachers, Kris, gave all of us new mommies a worksheet entitled Toddler Property Laws. I loved it so much I hung it on my refridgerator and that is where it has been ever since. I still read them sometimes while cooking dinner and they always give me a quick lil smile.

And so I've decided to share the Toddler Property Laws here with you.
Hope you like them and that they give you a smile and more importantly i hope they remind you that indeed, your child is normal! PS- #5 is my favorite.

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'm doing or building something All of the pieces are MINE.

7. If it looks just like MINE, it IS MINE.