When Sachin, a father of two children, brought a new bag for his younger son, he started remembering his childhood. How his mother used to keep his elder brother's uniform and books safely so that they could be useful for Sachin. Sachin also used to wait for his brother's height to increase, and he could flaunt his jeans among his friends. Today, in the name of prosperity, everything comes separately for both children.

Whereas there was a time when if two brothers were eating together, the mother would break a hot roti into two pieces and put it on the plate of both the brothers, and would also say that the one who finishes the roti first should ask for it from the other. Such a small thing, but such an important lesson. Sharing food, no hesitation in using each other's things, and no habit of asserting any kind of authority. The result of this is that even today, his brother worries about Sachin before himself. On the other hand, today's children want everything of their own. This is the story of every household.

Insistence on making one's own identity

As we grow up, we start feeling attachment and privacy towards our things. Many times, it happens that the elder children of the house start refusing to share their toys, stationery, or clothes with their younger brother or sister. Young children also develop this habit of refusing the things of their elder brother or sister, saying that they do not want their sister's or brother's bicycle, stationery, old bottle, or bag. One reason for this is that they want to make their own identity; they want something that is only theirs. Even if it is a toy. They feel more of a sense of descent rather than inheritance in old things.

Parents also sow this seed.

Children learn from the things around them. The first ones to give this lesson are the parents. You must be using many sentences like 'This mobile is mine', 'No one else will go in my car', 'I want to wear my new saree, not Bhabhi's' in everyday life. Such sentences get embedded in the minds of children, and they start giving more importance to themselves than to sharing. In such a situation, it is important that you yourself remain cautious about your words and do not sow any such seeds in the minds of children, which in the future create a wall of distance in relationships.

Handle the situation like this.

For example, if the child refuses to take an old thing, then instead of getting angry, explain to them that it is just a bag. We can decorate it in some creative way and make it different and special for them. This will give them a different approach. You can customize that old thing by putting stickers of the child's choice. You can tell them that by using this compass box, their elder brother had scored good marks in Maths.

Tell them that they are not being given any old thing, but in this way, they are being included in the family tradition, where things of their choice are given to the younger brother or sister. Initially, they may refuse, but when they see that there is nothing wrong with it, then obviously they will accept it. However, it is your responsibility to ensure that these used items are given only to younger siblings!

Tell the children that they will get their items of need, like notebooks, shoes, etc., but for the things that can be reused, they will have to share them among themselves.

Make this an annual tradition between siblings. Explain to them that they should take good care of their belongings.

This is not just about saving money or reducing expenses; it is also a great way to create better bonding and emotional attachment between siblings.

Whenever you share items with younger or older siblings, wrap it beautifully and get a lovely message written on it. Share it as a gift, not as an adjustment.

This will be a tradition of sharing among the family. Here, too, it is important to maintain balance. Also, keep in mind that the used item should not be in such a condition that it is useless.

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