Learning to share

Last evening, when we arrived home, he immediately jumped on the bicycle. He was not strong enough to ride it.. but only managed to step on the pedal backwards.. of course, no movement yet. After some time, he was able to move forward with half steps (180 degrees circle). Not bad for a start.. Give him some time, he will be riding like a pro!

In the mean time, lil’ President was excited with the new bicycle too. The moment Champion got off the bicycle, he rushed and climbed on it. When Champion turned back and saw his brother on the bike, he was so unhappy. He started crying.. “Get down, my bicycle.. get down, mine...”

In between his cries, I tried to explain to him, “Its not yours, its for both of you. You have to share.” He was not satisfied. He wanted lil’ President to get down. He continued crying.. He even tried to push lil’ President off the bike.. cannot; he then tried pushing the bicycle! Champion was unable to push him off as we were holding on to the bicycle and lil' President.

I didn’t want Champion to get the bicycle because of his cries or his pushing, so I allowed lil’ President to continue sitting on the bicycle. Mean, huh? ;)

He was still crying. I told him, “Zip!”.. he still cried. “If you continue like this, go and sleep. Cannot share means go and sleep”, he was already testing me. Immediately, he went over to his little sofa and lied down.. still sobbing. Ah? He listened to me? I didn’t know he understood that he was punished when I said go and sleep.

As I was trying to calm Champion, he got another idea. While still sobbing, he wheeled the toddler bicycle which is now lil’ President’s and said, “Thambhi, sit here. This one nice. Sit here..” while patting the seat. And it worked!

Lil’ President didn’t mind the toddler bicycle and Champion happily climbed back onto his bicycle. I guess he has had enough of Champion’s fuss ;P

After things had cooled down, I took Champion him in my arms and asked him whether he will share his bicycle with his brother. He said no. Then I said, “If you don’t share your bicycle, you’re not a good boy.” He didn’t care.. I asked him again and again, he answered me the same thing. We went on for about 5-6 times.. I told him, “If you’re good boy, I can share more things with you.” After a little while, he said he will share. Phew! What a relieve. As a reward, I gave him shark shaped jelly beans.. he took two for each hand.

After a little while, he was climbing onto the toddler bicycle.. I pointed out to him, “See, thambhi let you share his bicycle. So, you also must share, okay..”. He just nodded his head.

To test him again, after a few minutes I asked him whether he will share his bicycle with thambhi? To my relieve, he said he didn’t mind sharing the bicycle with his brother. To prove himself, he didn’t even push lil’ President off the bicycle. WOW!

Now, Champion is willing to share his bicycle with his brother. When lil’ President is on his bicycle, he will get another vehicles.. He does have a wide variety of choices!