It works!

You know those moments when you think you're going to have to be the kind of lame, nagging parent you never wanted to be? And then, as you're standing there trying to think of a different way to handle things, the problem resolves itself? Yep, I had one of those moments today.

My 7 year old daughter and I were picking up her brother from preschool. He got in the car and saw the carton of apple juice on her seat. "Hey, I want some apple juice!" he said. "NO!" she says, snatching it up. He starts to cry at her response. "Mom, Cora's not sharing," he says. This is where I decide to comment on what I see instead of telling them what to do (Thank you, Teacher Tom). "You're right. Cora's not sharing. That's not very nice." He continues to cry. I say nothing. A minute later, Cora gives him the juice box. He snatches it and gives her a churlish look. "Wow," I say, "Cora shared with you even though she really didn't want to! What do you say?" He stops crying and smiles. "Thanks, Cora."
Deep sighs of contentment all around.