Anonymous
02/21/2019 12:45
Subject: All toys are communal household
Just when I thought DCUM had judged all of my parenting choices...this is a new one! Haha To be honest, this wasn’t actually a parenting choice, rather the way things have developed organically. If you share toys, you have twice the toys! My kids play together often and have no problem with communal toys. Perhaps your friend’s kids are the same way, OP.
Anonymous
02/21/2019 12:30
Subject: All toys are communal household
I have 2 boys who are now 7 and 5 and we still basically do this. I don't know that anyone has ever said "all toys are shared" but we expect that the kids allow their brother to play with toys even if personally received as a present. I guess we generally do what your friend does, the kid who got the present plays with it first.
It doesn't mean that they don't have their own stuff though. They are different sizes so they obviously have their personal bikes, sporting equipment. They have their own special stuffed animals. A lot of what the 7 year old has asked for and received lately are chapter books, which the little one can't read yet. There are puzzles and other things that don't overlap because the 7 year old's stuff is too difficult for the younger one, and the younger one's stuff is too boring for the older one.
It's not really that complicated. I think the 7 year old's most precious possessions are his baseball glove/bat, certain sports jerseys, and his favorite books, none of which are shareable right now. I am sure that in the not too distant future they will get more expensive things that may not be shared, we'll cross that bridge when we come to it.
It doesn't mean that they don't have their own stuff though. They are different sizes so they obviously have their personal bikes, sporting equipment. They have their own special stuffed animals. A lot of what the 7 year old has asked for and received lately are chapter books, which the little one can't read yet. There are puzzles and other things that don't overlap because the 7 year old's stuff is too difficult for the younger one, and the younger one's stuff is too boring for the older one.
It's not really that complicated. I think the 7 year old's most precious possessions are his baseball glove/bat, certain sports jerseys, and his favorite books, none of which are shareable right now. I am sure that in the not too distant future they will get more expensive things that may not be shared, we'll cross that bridge when we come to it.