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Toddler diaper bag/sharing etiquette?…Just how much does she have to share?

  • Posted on November 29, 2010 at 11:24 pm

My daughter just turned 3. She is not potty trained completely yet, but does a great job staying dry throughout the day. Even so we do not leave the house without her diaper bag, which she calls her Toddler Bag. The toddler bag is always very well stocked with Pull-ups, a spare outfit, sunscreen, crayons, a few books, an empty sippy cup, and snack that she picks herself. Cheerios, animal crackers or similar. We take this bag every time we go anywhere more than just a simple run to the store.
The problem is that NO other mothers seem this well prepared. Other 3 and 4 year olds at picnics, parties, and dance recitals are always asking my daughter to use her crayons, to eat her Cheerios, or read her books. I want her to learn to share, of course. But she should be able to have something to herself sometimes! Can’t these other mothers think a head and bring these things? How much does she have to share anyway?
For example, we went to a dance recital today. Knowing it was going to be long I was well stocked. Halfway though she was getting cranky and whiny so we pulled out the Cheerios and filled her sippy with water from the fountain. She was quite happy. Until my friends 4 year old son starting asking her for Cheerios. She said to me that she did not want to share, and I told her that was okay. She was hungry! She ate the whole snack bag herself and drank her water, then was fine for the rest of the show. I felt bad for the other boy, but I knew my daughter was hungry. Whey should she have to give up her food?
So how much does she have to share? Do I have to bring enough Cheerios, Crayons, and books for EVERY kid that may or may not be there? Or is this a lesson to other moms to be more prepared for their own kids??
I am not angry about her having to share, I am annoyed about parents not thinking ahead for her their own children and then putting my daughter on the spot. this is not a one time thing. it happens a LOT. She is more inclined to share toys and crayons with the other kids, but not the snacks. If we are going out for a play date, then i always bring enough for the other child too. But at random cookouts and graduation parties I often do not know how many kids will be there. and I do not feel like we have to plan for them all.

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