"mine, mine, miiiiiine" - how did/do you deal with it?!

[docket]

ds is 2 in October. He's going through the phase of proclaiming everything is his; me, his 11 week old dd, all his toys of course and all of the equipment at the park, including other peoples' toys. At home I tend to ignore it (although I'm sure I counted nearly 100 'miine's before he'd even started breakfast this morning!) but when we're out it's more difficult, especially when you get people giving the dirty looks. I KNOW it's just a phase but is there any point trying to explain that things aren't his every time? Or just when we're out? And does it pass fairly quickly (hopeful emotion)?

Well, his toys, his sister and his mummy are all his, so really you only need to explain about the things that really don't belong to him. He will learn, he is very young still.

Ha! Reminds me of dd (2.6). Ds was talking about Miami. "No" cries dd "MY ami!".

that's classic becky!

you're right colditz, we are his. i guess the main issue for me is that i've got him to manage along with a newborn and when we're out and he's miiining and people are looking on disdainfully i get completely stressed out!

People distain at me all the time, develope a Paddington Bear Hard Stare. Most will wither.

or, to my shame I find myself pointing out examples of what you shouldn't do to my ds1, in a loud voice...ie "...and I certainly never want to see you listening in to other people's conversations like that lady in the green jumper is doing right now, because it's very rude, isn't it!"

heh heh, off to perfect said withering look...

lol dd is like that too. Everything is mine mine mine.

Dp said jokingly the other day to me that we needed to have a stingy (ala lazytown) corner rather than a naughty step and dd over heard and demanded to be put in the stingy corner. She spent a happy 15 mins sitting by the backdoor going 'mine mine mine to the pile of shoes there. .....hhhhhmmmm...not sure if that is gonna do much good . Gave us time to have a nice quiet cuppa mind.

docket, my ds 2.7 is just the same and has been ever since dd arrived 5 month ago which is what i put it down to. All of a sudden he is having to share all the people and places that are central to his life and his response is to get possessive. I'm hoping it passes as he gets more accustomed to sharing

What about increasing his vocab - by saying "yes xxx, that's your train". "That's Jimmy's car - it's red". "That's your sister". etc. in a very calm voice. Just like you would if he said "cat" - "yes it's a big ginger cat".

This may throw some light on it....

Property Laws of a Toddler

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 am playing with or building something, all the pieces are MINE

If is looks like MINE, it's MINE

If I saw it first, it's MINE

If you're playing with something and you put it down, it automatically becomes MINE

If it's broken, it's YOURS

My Dd is doing this too, Amyjade has started calling her Stingy!
Glad to see she isnt the only one!