My Advice Column

Hi Everyone! This is my Advice Column.I have one in my school newspaper and I'm experienced in this kind of thing,especially relationship problems.Write me an email ([e-mail]) and let me know if I can post it up here.Thank you!! I just want to help!
PS>The reason I don't do a message forum is so that people can get help without giving up the option of privacy.This way I can ask them if I can post it on here.

>>Q:My nephew who is 12, who, by the way, has spent the last 7 years in foster
care, has been rooming with my 11 year old son in the living room for the whole
summer. I accept that two boys in a room creates the potential for messiness
and noise. What I do have a hard time handling is daily posturing and bickering
over toy ownership. I wish that it was a non-issue and that they could see the
benefit of just sharing without getting pissy about it so often.

I find myself sympathizing with my nephew because he doesn't have as many
age-appropriate toys as my son, but if I suggest to my son that it's OK to let
his cousin use something, a few days later there's a big deal over ownership,
or gripes like, "He's mad at me, so now he won't let me play with
such-and-such!" What's the solution?

>>A:This is a common problem with young boys,the sharing issue.Try talking with your son and
emphasize that you would really love it if he would share with his cousin. Include your
nephew in this talk but you might need to talk to your son privately. Ty to show them that playing
with each other is fun.Also it would be a good idea if they both had a toy box and you could make it
a rule that they can play with each other's toys as long as they put it back in the appropriate box
when their done. You could even label the boxes "So-and-so's Toys" so they can feel recognized.
I hope this helped and good luck.