FRIENDS (4 2/3 YRS)

Momma picked up a sad S from school today. She picked her up with a pile of artwork and her lunchbox. S pointed to a picture she made for her "friend" Sage. She said, Sage didn't want the picture she drew. It was a picture of a birthday cake and she wrote Sage's name on the back of it. S's feelings were trully hurt and momma knows how much S likes Sage, but unfortunately, it is not reciprocal. Unfortunately, this is not the first time that Sage has disrespected her. S has tried to play with Sage and Evie before and they have both said "no" to her and purposely exclude her from their games (and other girls too).

Momma doesn't know what to say to S. Sometimes friendships are reciprocal and sometimes they aren't. Momma is reminded at Big Kid Playgroup on Monday. S had two choices of playmates, Charles or Albert. She naturally chose Albert. Their personality are more similar. And, unfortunately, Charles was treated like a third wheel. (Some of it is also that Charles has a hard time expressing his friendship. When he wants S attention, he often grabs what she is playing with or is destructive.) So here, the shoe was on the other foot.

All the natural and subtle nuances of friendship is hard to explain and it is something that S has to learn herself.