EP 38 | Is Sharing Really Caring? Why I Teach Turn-Taking Instead

 Forced sharing is out. Scaffolded turn taking is in. 

Eeeep - we’ve all said it - "sharing is caring". Two children are locked in battle over a toy, voices rising and out comes the phrase we hope will fix it fast. But what if “sharing is caring” is doing more harm than good?

In this episode, I unpack the very real consequences of forced sharing, why it doesn’t teach what we think it does, and what to do instead. Spoiler: it’s not about children giving up the goods, nor is it about permissiveness. It’s about building trust, patience, and genuine empathy.

🦕 Why “sharing is caring” might actually teach self-sacrifice, not kindness.

🦕 The subtle but powerful difference between sharing and turn-taking.

🦕 The mixed messages we send when we say “You’ve had it long enough” or “Who had it first?”

🦕 How scaffolded turn-taking supports regulation and social growth.

🦕 Practical scripts for tricky moments - that honour both children’s needs.

This episode is for anyone who’s felt caught in the tug-of-war and just wants to handle it better next time - with calm, clarity, and a whole lot more trust in children’s capacity to grow.

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