Mean Girls

Usually when I pick up Bean from school she comes running out of the gate and gives me a HUGE hug and is all smiles and as happy as can be.

Yesterday, however, when I picked her up she walked slowly out of the gate and was making the saddest face I had seen in a while.  I asked her what was wrong and she grabbed my leg and gave a small hug and said that she would tell me at the car.

I told her that she looked upset and she needed to tell me what was wrong.

She burst into tears and screamed that she would tell me at the car.

So we got to the car and she was bawling and through the tears she began to tell me the story.

Bean had her first encounter with mean girls, and I fear it just won't be her last.

We all went to school so we know how it goes - it's just sad that she had to experience it already.

Basically, in true little girl fashion, her newest "BFF" decided that Bean wasn't good enough and that she didn't want to be her friend and that every time Bean came near her she would say something snotty and move away.

It made me sad to see Bean so upset, but at the same time it is a part of life that she will have to learn to deal with.

Bean asked me if she could give the girl a flower or draw her a picture because, "Then she will like me again."

I told her very firmly that we do NOT give people anything to make them like us, ever.  I also told her that she was a beautiful and special girl and anyone would be lucky to be her friend.  And then I told her that she could always ask the other little girl why she was being mean, but that she was not to present gifts to gain friendship no matter what the circumstance.

Girls are mean, we all know it.  It's sad that Bean has to learn so early, but I do believe I am handling it the right way in teaching her how to respond appropriately.  I told her that today she needs to just go to school and be happy and play and if the other little girl is around she should just be nice to her like she always is.  Really, what else could she do?  It's kindergarten, they will both forget and be holding hands running through the playground by second recess, I'm sure of it.