Does the tractor have to go?

[TigerMoth1]

My 2 year old's favourite toy is a large, sit-on tractor and trailor.

We have some of his little friends coming for visits in the next few weeks. I suspect that my son will get really, really upset if any of them attempt to play with the tractor.

So, do I take the coward's way out and remove it for the duration of the visits, or let fate take its course to reinforce to my son the importance of sharing ALL his toys, even THAT one?

He isn't too bad about sharing, generally, BTW.

Or a compromise: ask the parents of the said visitors to bring along a similar wheeled device, so each child has something to sit on.

Your thoughts, please!

You're right, I bet it will be popular with visitors! As the proud owner of a temperamental non-sharing 2 year old, I think asking them to bring a similar toy is a great idea.

But whatever they bring Tigermoth, they will still want to sit on the new looking tractor that doesnt belong to them! Then you'll have a house full of big wheely things and lots of noise!

Personally I would hide large item, and let them fight over all the other toys. You wont then have to think about it, worry about it and ultimately deal with it!

Two is too young to really have much grasp of the concept of sharing. I'd hide it, too!

Definitely hide it. I always hide anything 'precious' when other bubs come round, it saves a lot of heartache and stress! I don't think they have much concept of sharing at 2.

Tigermoth - Definitely hide it - keep your stress levels as low as possible!

Eek...hide it, hide it!! There will be a gazillion more opportunites to teach sharing...which is always best done gradually, not with a whole bunch of little ones at once. We used to have a life size baby doll that led to a fight every time with a particular little girl who took a shine to it...and her mum eventually said 'please make sure you don't have David (doll's name) on view when we come!' Made life a lot easier when I did just that : )

Yup, hide it!
I did something yesterday I immediately regretted. My friend was visting with her baby who was falling asleep on her lap.I asked my nearly three year old ds to fetch his blanket to put on the baby ( the blanket he always takes to bed). He did so quite happily, tucked it round the baby and stood and watched him.
After about half a minute he obviously thought to himself, "Right matey you've had your turn" and wheeched it off the baby, somewhat roughly. I reflexly told him to give it back to the baby. He looked crestfallen, dropped the blanket, ran out the room and lay on the cold wooden floor in the hall, without making a sound, and stayed there for ten minutes and would not respond to me! I felt terrible.
I agree there is plenty time for sharing. If I had a tractor I would keep it to myself!!

I'd hide it too, I dont think it is necessary for them to share everything. I expect we all have something that is a favourite thing we dont like people touching or reading. Me and my sister used to regularly pinch my brothers plastic tractor and ride it down the railway bridge, Im sure he would rather we hadnt, but how do you say no to two big sisters.

That's an interesting thought, Batters. I'll have to re-read CG's book to see if he does mention it.

I must admit I was veering towards the hiding solution, even when I asked this question, but wondered if I was being a really bad and lazy mother for doing this. Obviously not, unless we all are here!

Now I've got to work out where to hide the thing - it's huge. And of course, I'll have to fend off my son's questions on its mysterious disappearances and reappearances over the coming weeks.

I feel an embroidered story coming on. Oh no!! - lying to ones children, as well!! Better stop here before someone tells me off.

I think you could be honest with him and say 'as this is your favourite toy, let's put it away for when x visits, then there won't be any fights over it.' If he wants to keep it out then I guess you'll have to deal with the fallout... I agree that children shouldn't be made to share really special toys / possessions, after all we don't as adults.

Oops just seen this is ancient thread, don't know what happened there, sorry.