Sharing 101

Elias gave me this necklace for Mother's Day. He made it himself at school and gave it to me in a home-made envelope along with a note. It was presented with much fanfare, including a song called "I Love My Mommy." The whole shabang was awesome and I love my necklace.

Given my reaction, Lena of course immediately coveted the necklace. When she asked me if she could wear it, I wasn't sure.

"Mommy, can I wear your special necklace?"

Elias looked at me, expectantly. I felt like giving my necklace to Lena would be tantamount to throwing it on the floor and stomping on the cute little green plastic heart. I panicked internally. Lena stroked the necklace and kept on, "Can I mommy, can I? Please? Pleeeaaaasssseeee?" Eli waited.

"Well, Lena, this is my special necklace that Eli gave me for Mother's Day and it was a very special gift and I think I'm just going to wear it for a while and maybe in a few days when it's not so new for me any more, then you can wear it." I looked at Eli for approval.

"Mommy!" Eli answered. "I made that necklace for taking turns." He looked at me as if I were stomping on the cute little green plastic heart.

Lena chimed in, "Yeah Mommy. What are you thinking? That necklace is for sharing."

Yes, of course. What the hell was I thinking?