Today, after school/work, I was making dinner in the kitchen while Meera sat at the counter coloring and talking to me about her day. She was telling me about something really mean that two girls did to her at lunch today (classic girlie exclusive behavior where the two were purposefully leaving Meera out of a snippy-nasty little game they were playing). After telling me her achey-heart lunchtime story from today, Meera waited for my reaction~~~
Heather: Girls can be so mean.
Meera: I know! And that’s what I’m gonna have to live through for the rest of my life!
Despite the fact that I know (both from direct first-hand personal experience growing up as a girl myself, and from all the research I’ve read on the topic) that this sort of thing is — unfortunately — totally typical, it nonetheless makes my heart ache for my girl. First grade is tough stuff. And the actual school work is just the tip of the iceberg.
Oh I so feel this!
And this won’t mean anything to Meera now, but by the end of high-school, I had a kickass circle of smart, genuine, generous female friends whom were all worth it, and who I still love, 6 years on.
And now? We have a joke that our 20s are revenge of the nerds. My friends and I are constantly being added on Linked in, or being sent Facebook messages from people who never gave us the time of day, and now want a leg up in the industry we’re excelling in!
It all comes back around in the end as my grandmother would say
Oh what a beautiful daughter you have! It hurts to see the next generation of lovely, sweet little girls being subjected to the same old silliness. I’m sure Meera will learn to handle it all with grace, as with everything.
Meera doesn’t have the kind of personality that invites scapegoating so I think she’ll be ok even if there are times like this one. She’ll be tested but she won’t cave in.
Meera and Waverly are kindred spirits. Waverly was mostly able to rise above all of that nonsense. She surrounded herself with like minded girls. She also was quick to stand up for other kids who needed a friend. She is getting close to adulthood and I am so proud of her. I know you’ll be saying the same thing about Meera in 12 years or so. Xo
I teach middle school……nuff said.
I get the heartache – having been there and supporting young kids going through that. Sending hugs and strength to you both!!
– Kate
Totally share your heartache! I also have a 1st grade daughter and am not looking forward to ” mean girl” drama. Hopefully our confident girls will rise above it.