The dawn of possessiveness

It's easy to take stuff away from Isaac, no matter how much he had been enjoying it. Other kids have grabbed toys from him at playgrounds, stores, play dates, and parties. He usually lets the toys go without objection. I also seldom have trouble taking objects away from him. In a group setting, the other adult almost always makes their child return the swiped item (which I appreciate), or he simply finds something else of interest. At home I usually provide something else in exchange, which he's usually willing to accept without complaint.

He really doesn't seem to mind. Perhaps there are two parts to his lack of possessiveness: no sense of ownership, and a ready ability to transfer interest. I don't know if this is temperamental (he's easy-going), environmental (he doesn't have siblings so he hasn't had to compete for scant resources), or simply developmental (he hasn't gotten old enough). But I knew it couldn't last.

I saw the first sign of possessiveness at playgroup yesterday. Isaac's playgroup pal Clara is fond of me, and every time we get together she spends some time snuggled up with me; sometimes Izzy will join us. Yesterday I was seated in an armchair as Clara stood between my knees, leaning against me, one hand draped over my thigh. Isaac came over, and I made room for him next to Clara. But he didn't stand next to her as I expected.

Instead he looked closely at her, something he seldom does to other children. He furrowed his brow. I couldn't quite understand the expression on his face -- was it confusion? jealousy? irritation? Then he pushed her hand off my thigh and tried to stand right where she was standing. He didn't push her out of the way as much as try to push past her -- like someone trying to make their way to the front of a one-person crowd.

Clara's mother noticed right away, and lured Clara over to her with promises of a knee-ride to the tune of "The Brave Old Duke of York." Clara was happy to go. Then Isaac, still with that undefinable expression on his face, wanted to sit in my lap, and of course I obliged. I couldn't help but find it a little flattering -- the first thing he didn't want to share was his mama!