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Why doesn't someone just hand me a striped jersey and a whistle because the refereeing between the boys has begun.

Inevitably Eli will scoot over and want to touch what Tobey is playing with. Tobey's reaction is usually, "No, Eli! It's not your turn!" I can only blame myself for that because I did teach Tobey to say that since I want Eli to play by the same rules of engagement as Tobey. I didn't teach Tobey the tone which is usually on the border of whining. I also taught Tobey that he can take something away from Eli if it is dangerous. But Tobey's idea of "dangerous" is anything that he had first.

On the flipside, if Eli is peacefully playing with something, like our newly resurrected Leapfrog table, Tobey must come over and be in the same square inch as Eli. There are four sides to the square table but they're both shoving for the same side. Eli is assertive though. He will yelp when wronged in contrast to Tobey's silent shock and disapproval at the same age. Eli's also tough. He's taken more than few tumbles from being shoved or just losing balance.

At any rate, I didn't expect to be refereeing this early. Actually I'd rather not referee at all but for Eli's safety and Tobey's learning to share with a younger brother, it's unavoidable. While I want them to learn to play by the same rules (one of our family friends had the reputation of being spoiled because his mom used to tell us to slow down so he can catch up), I still need to tell Tobey to understand that Eli's still a baby and just being curious. It'll be interesting when they're both verbal and/or fully mobile. I may have to separate them into their own corners.