Sharing is caring, or so we’ve been told since we were toddlers, right? But is it really necessary to hammer this lesson into our kids? Do we ever pause to consider what message we are sending, or are we just regurgitating the same old phrases we heard growing up?
Last week, while at the park with her son, Lucas, Emily Richards encountered a situation that led her to share a powerful message on social media. Lucas had brought some action figures to play with a friend. Upon arrival, a group of kids approached, demanding that he share his toys. This prompted Emily to take action and she penned a post that should be on every parent’s reading list.
“MY KID IS NOT OBLIGATED TO SHARE WITH YOURS,” she boldly stated in her post. And yes, she used caps for emphasis—because it’s important!
Emily described how her son was surrounded by at least five kids, all insisting he share his toys. When Lucas looked to her for guidance, she reassured him, “You can say no, buddy. Just say no. No need for anything else.” But when he did say no, the kids ran to Emily to complain about Lucas not sharing. So, she addressed their complaints head-on: “He doesn’t have to share with you! If he wants to share, he will!”
Understandably, some parents shot her dirty looks, but Emily articulated her reasoning perfectly in her now-famous post: “If I, as an adult, walked into the park munching on a sandwich, am I required to share it with strangers? Absolutely not!”
She went on to challenge the social norms: “Would any polite adult just help themselves to my lunch and get upset if I pulled it away? Nope!”
So, who’s really lacking in manners here? Is it Lucas, who prefers to keep his few toys to himself, or the group of kids demanding something that doesn’t belong to them? Think about it. Just because another child wants to play with something your kid has, does that mean they have to relinquish it? Just like you wouldn’t give up your favorite cafe seat to someone who looks longingly at it, we shouldn’t be teaching our kids to sacrifice their possessions just because someone else wants them.
Emily emphasized, “The goal is to prepare our kids to navigate adulthood.” Many of us struggle to set boundaries, say no, or practice self-care. Are we teaching our children to always put their needs last? There’s a significant difference between a child who refuses to share and one who simply isn’t finished playing with a cherished toy.
So, the next time your little one runs to you, upset that someone isn’t sharing, remember that we don’t live in a world where people must give up everything for someone else just because they ask. And I won’t be teaching my child that’s how life works.
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In summary, Emily Richards’ message about sharing not only resonates with parents but also highlights the importance of teaching our children about boundaries and self-worth. It’s time to rethink what we teach kids about sharing and ensure they understand they have a right to say no.