Twin baby boys and sharing

United States
September 29, 2008 1:07am CST
I have twin baby boys and they are old enough now that they will play with each other but still only 10 months going on 11 months. Sometimes when they play they claw/hit/push at each other and steal each others toys even if they already have an identical toy. Should I be intervening or letting them figure out how to stick up for themselves?
4 responses
@fasttalker (2796)
• United States
30 Sep 08
I have a 15 month old boy who has a twin sister and I think they are fine as long as they aren't hurting each other. I have to watch the girl getting to rough with the boy because he is so much smaller (a lot of problems he had at birth)but I agree that sometimes parents intervene too quickly. They do this tug of war with their toys and I usually let the strongest one win. She is the stronger but he is pretty creative on waiting for his opportunity LOL Good Luck
• United States
30 Sep 08
it's so cool to see their different personalities come out with things like problem solving and interacting and it seems to change often. Just when you've pegged the "smart" one, the other impresses you with something even smarter. Twins are a neverending and joyous adventure. =-)
@jmhall (143)
• United States
29 Sep 08
I have twin girls they are now going to be 3. At the age your boys are at they did the same things. At this age they are too young to grasp the concept of sharing. You can try and interven, but they really do not understand at this stage, but they will eventually get the concept. What I did is if they were not really hurting one another but just acerting themselves I let it go unless they started getting too out of hand. They will be 3 in a couple of weeks and don't get me wrong we still have our battles over toys and such, but they have also learned to share on occasion. I do still let them go at and try to let them figure it out for themselves, but I also keep an eye on them so they do not get too carried away. I think it is good for them to at least try and figure these things out for themselves. Especially if they are bulling one another. I have found that they are less likely to take things from one another if they know the other will not put up with it. I am also trying to avoid a trend of telling on one another or whinning to me when they do not get their way. I also have an 11 month old that helps out. She is almost as big as the twins and can stand up for herself so when they try to steal her toys she steps up :) They have alot too learn but it is only going to get worse before it gets better. Like I said mine are 3 and just now starting to share, but not always. Good luck!
• United States
30 Sep 08
" I have found that they are less likely to take things from one another if they know the other will not put up with it." That's a good point perhaps I'll just relax and draw the line at the eye-gouging.
@rainmark (4302)
29 Sep 08
For me, they maybe need to be separated rooms, so they are not always in trouble and they can practice there own privacy while young and to avoid more hurting physically, you what boys like. Happy posting
@camomom (7535)
• United States
29 Sep 08
at this age i think you only have to intervene if they are hurting each other. in my opinion it's ok to let them live and learn. i play rough with my kids and sometimes they do get bumps and bruises but i think it makes them tough. i'd rather them try new things and figure stuff out on their own and if they get a small owey it's ok. i only intervene with the older two if one of them will seriously get injured. my step son is seven and honestly he's kind of a wimp. (i'd never say that to him) if i can help him grow a little tougher skin without getting majorly hurt, so be it.
@jmhall (143)
• United States
29 Sep 08
I totally agree with them learing on their own. I think parents are too quick to step in sometimes. I know some kids that are kind of wimpy and are afraid of everything (storms, dogs, and other critters). They are good kids but they need a little backbond.