I found this poster of the “Toddler Rules of Ownership” displayed at my kids’ daycare center, outside the toddler room. Many of you may have seen it before, but I’m sharing it here because as the mom of a toddler, it CRACKED ME UP!
Toddler Rules of Ownership (by Kevin McHugh)
1. If I like it, it’s mine.
2. If it’s in my hand, it’s mine.
3. If I can take it from you, it’s mine.
4. If I had it a little while ago, it’s mine.
5. If it’s mine, it must never appear to be yours in any way.
6. If I’m doing or building something, all the pieces are mine.
7. If it looks just like mine, it’s mine.
8. If I saw it first, It’s mine.
9. If you are playing with something and you put it down, automatically it becomes mine.
10. If it’s broken, it’s yours.
11. If it is broken, but you are having fun playing with the pieces, it’s mine again.
12. If there is ANY doubt, it’s mine.
My little one, Thor, is turning 2 next week, and he is the quintessential toddler of toddlers.
He has also become a little thief.
When I pick him up from daycare, suddenly he goes on a mission: He runs to the toys in the preschool area, grabs as many little Hot wheels cars that he can hold (he thinks he can hold more than he really can – that’s always entertaining), and runs to the door so he can play with them at home.
He wants them, therefore he thinks they’re HIS.
