Situation: 5 year old guest spending the night at our house. He and Billy will sleep on the floor of the boys’ room. Billy has 2 pillows and offers one to the guest. The guest wants the OTHER pillow. The coveted pillow has a hand-painted cover on it that says “Billy”. I tell him that it is Billy’s special pillow and has his name on it. He begins to cry. Fritz offers his special pillow which is identical to Billy’s pillow, except that it says “Fritz” instead of “Billy.” This alternative is not acceptable to him and he continues to cry.

Which lesson is more important here?: that MY son learn that accomodating a guest is a polite thing to do? or that the guest learn that some things are simply not for sharing?

Solution: do not invite children who have no siblings over for a slumber party.