Reality of private ownership

We were invited to our friends place for dinner; a family with an 8 year old girl and a teenage son. Upon reaching there, we exchanged our hellos and introduced you to their grandfather. At first, you were sitting quietly on my lap with your head down but your eyes were busily checking the new faces and the environment. Each time someone said hello to you, you would look up and smile shyly and then look down again; but the eyes were still busy doing its own things. Later on, their daughter, Saatchi, brought some stuffed animals for you to play with. You looked at all the animals; but were very interested in the tiny teddy bear. You started playing with the teddy bear and kept saying Mine. Mama kept reminding you that it belongs to someone else and we have to return it after we leave.

Once you warmed up, you started exploring the place; you crawled in the kitchen, in their bedroom and almost got into their bathroom. Saatchi and her mother were playing catch-catch with you. Saatchi had a big ball and she was playing peek-a-boo with you. When you found her, you burst into laughter and wanted to play all over again. You got bored of her game and initiated your own, you wanted her to come and catch you and so crawled away; all this while, you were holding on to the tiny bear and kept assuring yourself by saying; Mine.

Soon it was time to go and dada told you that you had to give the bear back to Saatchi. You shook your head and said MINE, MINE! Dada and mama then told you that it belongs to Saatchi and that she will be sad if you take her bear away . But how much of this would you have understood?? Mama tried again but then you started to cry and were not ready to part with the stuffed toy. It was nice of Saatchi’s mom to say that it does not matter and that you can keep the bear. Well, I knew Saatchi was sad and wanted her to have her teddy bear back. When we sat in the car, dada distracted you and took the bear from your hands and gave it to Saatchi. You began to protest but mama quickly handed you your fishy toy and you seemed content. When we drove off, you kept signing Bear; you remembered the bear and wanted it. That was your first encounter with the reality of private ownership. Dada felt very bad that he had to take the toy out of your hands like that; he felt that he was cheating you in some ways. He told me that he was going to buy the exact bear the very next weekend. Hmm, mama too felt sorry that she could not think of a better way for you to give up the toy; but found myself smiling when dada said that he would buy you the same toy.

(I have always liked this rule and wanted to share it with all)

Toddler Property Rules
If I like it, it's mine.
If it's in my hand, it's mine.
If I can take it from you, it's mine.
If I had it a little while ago, it's mine.
If it's mine, it must never appear to be yours in any way.
If I'm doing or building something, all the pieces are mine.
If it looks just like mine, it's mine.
If I think it's mine, it's mine.
(http://www.inspiredinside.com/humor/humor_ToddlerRules.htm )