15 mo being possessive of toys and 'upset' by visitors

[tigertum]

My 15 mo DS has started turning into a real grump when other children come round. Today he wouldn't let this younger baby that came over had any of his toys and wouldn't sit in his paddling pool with him, getting very fussy and crying until he eventually climbed out. Normally he'd sit in his pool for a good hour.

Is this just a phase? Is there anything that worked for you?

By the way, he's normally fine when we go other peoples houses or play groups. He's a bit of a toy snatcher but no worse than other toddlers and not like he was today. He was even 'sneering' (well pulling his 'I am not impressed' face at least).

ds (who's now 2) went thru this, and is sometimes still possessive of his 'favourite' toys when other children are around. it sounds like he is just starting to stand his ground about what is his.

i just encouraged sharing, sitting on the floor with him and the other children and if he didnt share, i would remind him that sharing is good.

also, i would make a deal out of anytime i shared with him (be it food, a toy, anything!) - and i made a deal out of anytime he shared with me! (we still do this!)

perhaps he was also having a grumpy, off day? (teething? not feeling %100?) it does pass....but takes some endurance to get thru.
good luck!!

Phase, phase, phase. Brace yourself and ride it out!

re: visitors (sorry didnt respond to this part in my first response) -
is it just children visitors he is upset with or adult visitors too? perhaps your ds is just really learning that his house is HIS and isn't okay with strangers. either way, just encourage him and comfort him if he gets upset with visitors, but also explain that it is ok that people come in that don't live there.

it will pass!!

my 3 yo son has friends who are about 6 months older than him and he went though a stage of letting the older kids have everything and then one day he decided no more and getting him to share has been very difficult. we have just come back from the park where he let another child have a go with his new car and when he does share he always says "look mummy i'm sharing" and i tell him how brilliant that is. the only problem is when you constantly tell yours to share and other mums don't. i am sure at times my son thinks i am very unfair as he doesn't get to share other kids toys but what can you do?

Thanks for your messages.

Glad to hesr that the concensous is that its a phase. A few days later an older child came around and he behaved totally different. Happy to share all his toys, very excited at her being there. Think maybe he just gets confused by smaller, crawling babies. Was very nice to see him not be possessive though.