As a stay-at-home mom I am constantly reminding my kids to share. “When you’re done with that toy, please let your brother try it,” “Let’s make sure we bring two dolls so your friends can share,” “We bring enough snacks for everyone,” etc.
One day when my daughter was around two years old she wanted to desperately try my lip gloss. I responded, “No, sweetie, this is Mommy’s!” Then she comes out of nowhere with, “Mommy, you must share!” OMG she’s right! I need to share! Here I am going on and on about sharing and I’m saying no to her!
So, there she was with the perfect nude gloss that I covet. She caught me so off guard I had to share it! I gave up the lip gloss so quickly that I didn’t think of going through the list of things that I will share and things that I won’t, and when it’s okay to say no to sharing. One point Pen, zero points Mommy.
It just gets so tiring day in and day out: sharing my water, sharing my privacy in the bathroom, the water and space IN the shower while I’m showering, food off of my fork, my bed, my high heel shoes, and jewelry. I get it, I’m a mom, and I’m supposed to share these things. But I mean can I have ONE thing to myself? Please tell me I’m not alone in taking a snack in the bathroom or chewing really quickly while facing the wall so my kid doesn’t see I’m eating their fruit snacks. Anyone?
Recently I did something I felt guilty at first about, but now it’s like “my new thing.” I make smoothies daily and my kids LOVE smoothies. I spend $100 a month on said smoothies and not for nothing, THEY’RE MINE! My 3 year old asked for a sip recently and I quickly said “Oh I’m sorry honey, I put wine in this one, it’s just for grownups” WHERE did that come from? OMG I just lied to my daughter that I put WINE in my breakfast smoothie. Welp, hopefully she doesn’t slip and tell all the kids at the playground! But honestly, if you don’t want to share something use the wine trick or even tell them there is coffee in it! And no this isn’t lying its just simply not sharing. You’re welcome.