He is a very normal toddler, as everyone has said. All you can do is be firm, consistent and model good sharing behaviour for him. One day he will get the hang of it. And dont worry, nearly all other 2 year olds are the same, and those that dont fight for the toy will be having it snatched off them constantly, which is probably worse.

Hopefully this Toddler Property Law will sum it all up for you!

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 of the pieces are mine.

7. If it looks like mine, it's mine.

8. If I saw it first, it's mine.

9. If you are playing with something and you put it down, it
    automatically becomes mine.

10. If it's broken, it's yours.

http://www.lucifer.com/~sasha/humor/ToddlerPropertyLaws.html

I think that this will improve over time and that it is very common for toddlers to not want to share..My 17 month old does not love to share either..

I don't have a clear right answer, but I have been applauding her and making a big deal when whe does 'take turns"..She loves the attention and has been doing it more and more..

I have found with her that alot of positive attention makes her want to do something over negative attention!

It's completely normal and you're doing the right thing by acting as soon as he does something wrong. Just keep using lots of verbal reassurance as well that it's ok and that "x" won't take it away he/she is only having a look, and then after a short time get the other child to give whatever it is back to him and say "See, we're sharing. Good boy". Don't forget to praise the good things as well as punish for the bad.

It's hard for a little one to understand the sharing concept, so just be patient and keep on doing what you're doing.

Amanda xxx

It sounds to me as tho you are already doing the right thing; just stick to it. Its quite normal for a 2yo to be possessive of toys (& people). They haven't yet developed boundaries so they are trying out the whole business of ownership. They need guidance to turn into reasonable people & you are doing that. He probably hasn't 'picked it up' from anywhere (tho there's no shortage of places with cartoons, TV shows, News broadcasts & movies). Its a myth that kids are born to be placid & civilised. Our distant ancestors had to fight to survive so its in all our genetic make-ups. I suggest you avoid doing anything that could (even remotely) be construed as violence.... Time out & loss of priviledges seems to be more effective. And if it gets too much for you (as it does for most of us at some time), Make sure he's safe & get yourself to another room... Better still; get someone else to watch him & go for a walk. You need time out too!

hugs

Rosalinda

sadly it is a child thing. They can not understand the concept of sharing ntil they are about 4. Even still a only child never has to share with siblings and it can take longer. My son had a friend who refused to share with my son (they are 6 and 7) and he is a only child.

All you can really do is keep on at sharing. Buy books on sharing, sit and play with your son and share with him. This is how I got my kids to share and they are pretty good at it. they do have a few fav toys that they dont like others touching which is fine by me.

Good luck