shot of sass, served on (n)ice

Thursday, March 19, 2009

property law, as viewed by a toddler

To the moms on Smartini - I saw this on Facebook this morning.

Perhaps you can tell me if this list is accurate:

1. If I like it, it's mine.
2. If it's in my hand, it's mine.
3. If I can take it from you, it's mine.
4. If I had it a little while ago, it's mine.
5. If it's mine, it must never appear to be yours in any way.
6. If I'm doing or building something, all the pieces are mine.
7. If it looks like it's mine, it's mine.
8. If I saw it first, it's mine.
9. If I can see it, it's mine.
10. If I think it's mine, it's mine.
11. If I want it, it's mine.
12. If I "need it, it's mine (yes, I know the difference between "want" and need"!).
13. If I say it's mine, it's mine.
14. If you don't stop me from playing with it, it's mine.
15. If you tell me I can play with it, it's mine.
16. If it will upset me too much when you take it away from me, it's mine.
17. If I (think I) can play with it better than you can, it's mine.
18. If I play with it long enough, it's mine.
19. If you are playing with something and you put it down, it's mine.
20. If it's broken, it's yours (no wait, all the pieces are mine).

8 tips left at the bar:

Andria said...

well, I don't know what a tottler is ;) but my toddler definitely prescribes to this method of thinking. His constant refrain of "I want that" is heard all.day.long. and any battles between the two kiddos invariably has a whiny, high-pitched "MINE!" repetition throughout.

tempe & chris said...

HA! Can you tell I don't have kids? Wow.

(I corrected the header because I detest bad spelling! Shame on me.)

penelope said...

Hmms. It can apply to preschoolers as well, especially of the headstrong variety...

Miss Thystle said...

and also to teenagers, husbands and usually my boss.

Cakelet said...

That was posted on the wall where all four of my kids went to preschool. Gospel truth, every word.

Ruby said...

I particularly like #16. Oh, how true it is!

Bj in Dallas said...

My friends 5 year old went into the neighbors house (uninvited) and brought out his 'favorite' toy while we were all standing in the front yard. His defense was
'I wanted it' and he was so mad when he had to take it back and apologize.
Toddlers and little ones are a crazy time....

Niki said...

That's pretty much how it works with my dog, too. I have the scars on my hand to prove it ; )