Mine

I've heard it said that in other cultures the concept of possessions belonging solely to one person is nonexistent. That children in these non-violent, non-materialistic societies never primitively snatch objects from another's grasp and say "Mine!" It is said children are taught this selfish concept from adults and so we shouldn't be surprised when our own children work hard to hoard precious and rare blocks, crackers or foam letters. In the cases of my two children, the oldest didn't verbally claim things as his until he had a sibling. Before he was two and a half he had a difficult time sharing with other kids but for the most part was the "victim" rather than the aggressor (though some may disagree). Once his sister was born, however, objects became "his" that I didn't realize he had claim to like the coffee table, television stand and every chair we owned. I'm sure I had a hand in teaching him "mine" because when he'd get a hold of my necklace, glasses, ring, etc., I'd say it was "Mommy's very precious" and to put it back where it belonged. But I didn't have to teach this to the girl because she's picked it up from her big brother and now loves to torment him with it. Lately the game has been to pick up something, whether it be her brother's or not, and run around the couch saying with gusto "mine! mine! mine!" while he chases her with hands outstretched repeating the same mantra. My sister is four years older than myself and she was a more nurturing sibling than my boy is now. I remember some sibling rivalry but most of it was due to teenagers needing privacy and independence, not children clammering for parental attention or an innate need to control. I really wasn't prepared for sibling rivalry so, as my reader, be prepared, this could be a repeated theme within my writing.