Ava Learns to Share ($1.99)
Teaching Kids to Share during the "Mine" Phase with Read Aloud Stories
The "mine" phase has never been my favorite part of parenting. Raising two boys who are exact opposites of each other means that "learning to share" looks different for everyone in our house.
Two Boys, Two Different Journeys
My first-born is autistic. While he understands the concept of sharing now, it took us a long time and a lot of patience to help him get there. With my second-born, it was an entirely different experience. He is much more strong-willed and will put up a significant fight especially if it concerns a toy he received as a gift that holds special meaning to him.
*Actual photo of my two sons taking turns with their toy trucks
Teaching Kids What Sharing Looks Like Through Consistency and Joy
We realized that we had to be consistent. We looked for every opportunity to show them that taking turns isn’t just a "rule" to follow, but the right and kind thing to do. We focus on:
Consistently showing them the concept of taking turns in every daily interaction.
Making it a fun experience by explicitly showing them that toys are actually more fun when they are shared and played with together.
Using Stories to Bridge the Gap
This is why I created "Ava Learns to Share". I wanted to provide a tool that helps parents turn those high-tension moments into calm, read-aloud opportunities. By following Ava’s story, kids can see these lessons in action without feeling like they are being lectured. It’s a way to model the heart of sharing naturally, so they eventually follow our lead.