Jennifer Horgan: From playdates to policies, fair systems are crucial for genuine sharing

People can’t be moralised into goodness, as much as we try such tactics with our kids. They must be shown the system is just and fair

Tents being removed along the Grand Canal on Thursday. A study by Amárach Research found a fervent desire for Ireland to take a tougher approach to immigration — 74% believing we are too soft. Picture: Sam Boal/Collins Photos

When I had my third child, I knew there was one thing I would never force her to do, at least not for a while — share everything.

I had suffered through one too many ill-fated playdates with my first two, where some snot-faced toddler thrashed and wailed until they got my child’s favourite toy. Or the other way around, where my child squealed for some poor unfortunate’s object of affection. I had suctioned toys from pudgy little hands a-plenty, desperate to look like a good parent, and maybe more importantly, a good person.