Sharing

Sharing definitely does not come easily to children. One of the first words they learn is "Mine!" Snatching away from others comes easily. Learning to share with others is a skill we must teach. Sharing is a Biblical virtue. 1 Timothy 6:18 says: "Always be ready to share with others and do so with joy."

If you have kids, endless shouts of "That's mine!' and "I had it first!" are not joyful. It's easy to get weary of the noise. But this is important –– we DO NOT avoid fights by giving in. Forcing older children to always give in to the younger siblings to keep peace is NOT sharing.

Here's an easy way to teach SHARING. Choose a fun sound on your phone, set the timer for one minute ––you can increase it later –– and "Play the Sharing Game" with children. The youngest child gets the toy first. They play for one minute. When the fun timer sounds, the youngest passes the toy to their sibling. While the sibling takes their turn playing, you recite with the youngest, "It's my turn again when the timer sounds!" Sharing has now become a game. To mix things up, allow kids to take turns choosing the timer sound. And ... be sure older siblings get to go first sometimes.

Sharing is pleasing to God. Little ones will learn to share joyfully when we teach them. Kids who share naturally grow up to be adults who share naturally. And adults who share naturally are a wonderful example to their kids. Begin by teaching kids to joyfully share toys ... and one day, those same kids might joyfully share JESUS with their friends.