We were at the park the other day and Laura, being a fairly typical 3 year old, decided that she wanted to go on the baby swing. The problem being that if Laura goes on the baby swing Dylan can’t ride on it, so he starts crying and throwing a tantrum. However, if Laura goes on the ‘big girl’ swing, Dylan can go on the baby swing, I can push them both, and everyone lives happily ever after… Well theoritically! 

So, with Laura demanding the baby swing and Dylan already screaming I put her into the baby swing and explained that if I had to put Dylan into the big swing I couldn’t push her as I’d need to hold on to Dylan while I help him swing so he doesn’t fall off. 

Laura sat on the baby swing (very stationary) for a while watching me push Dylan, then of her own accord said “Dylan, let’s swap.”

The point is, very quickly Laura figured out three things: 

1. If she shares and is kind to her brother she’s much more likely to get what she wants, faster, and more of it. It’s just the law of reciprocity!

2. When she stops and listens there’s often a way everyone can get what they want and without anyone missing out. There’s always a win-win when you look hard enough.

3. It’s no fun being on a swing when someone else is crying, particularly when it’s because of you. When the people around you are happy, it’s easy to be happy too!

So Laura & Dylan swapped swings and everyone lived happily ever after… that is until we went and played shops! … but that’s for another day! LOL.