My child has friends, but no best friend.
When my daughter was eight years old, I had one of those parenting days where I felt like I got punched in the gut. My daughter usually comes home happy from school. I greeted her with a big hug and said, “How was your day?”
“Not that good” she responded quietly burrowing her head into my waist.
“What? Why!?” I asked.
She proceeded to tell me that her friend (that I just started hearing a lot about in the last couple of weeks) took her BFF necklace back. She had just given it to her the week before.
As she was racing out the door that morning, she made sure to go back in and grab that necklace at the last minute. Obviously it was special to her. They just had a playdate last week and had a great time. How did all of that change so suddenly? The little girl actually took it off of my daughter’s neck.
We had a LONG talk after that. We talked about friends, and what that means, and how it’s important to be friends with everyone. How one day she will figure out who her true best friend is, but if she takes back her necklace, she probably isn’t the right kind of friend anyway. I encouraged her to continue to be nice to this girl, but that she didn’t have to be her friend if she didn’t want to. But, she still wanted to, she told me. We problem solved for a few minutes, and I think she felt better.
Mean girls exist and I was heartbroken for my daughter. She’s a sensitive one, and just didn’t seem to understand why her friend would do that. The reason that she took the necklace away was because my daughter chose to do something nice for another child. And, then she threw in that “there was another reason too, but she wasn’t going to tell her.”
It seems to be a common thing for young girls to test the waters of being “mean”. Sure, we can blame it on the parents, but I’m smart enough to know that even kids that come from good homes can still be mean. I like to think that they are all just trying to figure out social skills, and choosing friends is part of that, but I’ve decided that the term “best friend” is something I don’t want to encourage right now.
In elementary school, friends change weekly.
One day someone is your bestie and the next day, they don’t want to talk to you. But, one thing I’ve tried to explain to my daughter is that by choosing a best friend, you’re excluding others. Whether you mean to or not. And, it’s OK to love a friend more than others, but we don’t need to broadcast that fact to all our other friends.
Maybe you might argue that it’s all harmless fun, and that there is nothing wrong with having that one special friend, but if we are truly talking about teaching our kids social skills, maybe teaching them to latch on to one person is the wrong way to go about it. Because human nature is that humans sometimes hurt each other. And, if they only have one friend, it might be much more devastating when that friend rejects them. Which at seven and eight years old, is a very likely possibility.
Having lots of friends encourages you to learn about different personalities.
Now, I’m not suggesting that we teach our kids that they HAVE to be friends with every single person, but I’m suggesting we encourage them that having lots of friends is better than just one. Why? Because having lots of friends encourages you to learn about different personalities. Some friends may be fun to go kick the soccer ball with while others will be the one you might choose to take to a movie with you. Everyone has different talents and I know that my life is truly blessed by having friends from all different backgrounds and personalities!
Let’s teach our girls to be confident in who they are.
However, if they have lots of friends, it will be easier to encourage them to focus on other friends for a little while until whatever pre-tween drama blows over. By teaching our kids to be confident in themselves and realize they have LOTS of friends to choose from, aren’t we giving them better tools to deal with real life challenges? Because even adults lose best friends. And there’s proof that women use indirect aggression to get ahead. But, what about those quieter, less aggressive girls? Some of them just aren’t born with the ability to fight back in that way.
We can be kind without being exclusive.
So, what do you do when your child is offered the “best friend” necklace? I don’t want to teach her to be the mean girl by rejecting it. Here’s an idea for a good response:
“Thank you! I’m so glad we’re friends. I’m not going to wear it at school so it doesn’t get lost, but, I love it and am so glad you gave it to me!”
Finding a best friend will happen naturally over time.
I met my best friend in 5th grade, and apparently I was the mean girl that first year. So much so that her Mom almost didn’t let her come to my house in the 6th grade because I had been mean to her in the past. I didn’t remember it, but she sure did. But thankfully, her mom said yes, because we’ve been friends ever since. But, it took us until middle school to realize we were perfect for each other.
But, I think finding a best friend will happen naturally over time.
For now, I am going to focus on teaching her to be confident in herself. Love everyone. And, treat others with kindness. A recent study shows that those kids who were encouraged to treat others with kindness had a boost in popularity. That’s good news. There is hope. And, I believe kindness can go a long way. And, I hope that one day she will find her true bestie that will have those same qualities too.
Do you encourage best friends? I want to know what YOU think.
This is an extremely difficult situation, and I think you handled it beautifully. That title of “best friend” has to be handled with care when girls are young and still exploring relationships. I remember being in high school out with a group of my close friends, and the one who I always thought was my official BFF mentioned to the group that someone else was her best friend. I went to the bathroom and had an ugly cry. She obviously didn’t mean to hurt me; in fact, we are friends to this very day. But still, so much of some children’s identities are wrapped up in who they extend that BFF baton to. Way to go, Mama, for handling this one with so much understanding and love. Knowing girls, it probably won’t be the last time these issues come up, but you did a great job.
Ugh. Thanks. It is SO hard. And, half the time, I have no clue what to say! Yes. It’s hard to hear the term best friend when it isn’t about you, which is why I don’t like it!
I am so sorry your little munchkin is going through this. My daughter is 14 years old and we move a lot! Like, a lot-a lot. So she has come into contact with so many different people. Just the other day in fact she called me at lunch crying in the bathroom because her normally sweet friends were all ganging up on her and being witchy. I don’t normally do this but because of other circumstances that were going on I let her come home and we talked about everything that had happened. Of course an hour later everyone was calling her wondering why she left and why she was upset…she just said she was having a rough hormonal day and it was best she came home. A partial truth but these girls had no idea how their body language and words had affected her. Kids at these ages are going through a very selfish time, not to say anything mean about them it is a developmental fact lol Eventually they will out grow it but as parents we have to instill in our children the grace and beauty of being a good person and a good friend. I think you are doing a wonderful job. I will be honest I had a best friend growing up & 30 years later she is my daughter’s godmother & we are going to visit her in one week…my daughter has found out she has a best friend because through all our moves there is one friend that keeps in touch & even came to visit us in Canada (from FL and this girl had never been on a plane before). So, knowing your best friend comes in time. I’d say if a child gives her a necklace she should accept it graciously but she doesn’t have to wear it, of course! 🙂 Or she could say wow, thanks, but I don’t need a pieces of jewelery to know we are good friends! 🙂 Good luck to your little angel, let her know this won’t be the last time it happens sadly so she should keep her head up! 🙂
Thanks so much Kate! I know there will be many more instances like this. Thank GOODNESS I only had one girl. 🙂 I’m still friends with my Best friend too. And, I’m going to see her in one week too!! 🙂 You’re absolutely right, it will come with time. Just watching them go through it is so hard.
I totally feel for you. I struggle with this myself. As a homeschooler, I have to actively seek out friendships for my son. He can be really picky, and I don’t always love the boys he likes.
Also sometimes the moms don’t even try to put effort into playdates with him because they don’t go to school together.
So I even have the moms to contend with.
I agree with the try to be nice to everyone plan. It’s really a win win.
You know my sister’s best friend was the mean girl. They’ve been friends since they were 6. They’ve had plenty of ups and downs. But they did work it out, and now almost 35 years later, they’re still together.
Well, moms have a lot to do with this. In fact, I was thinking, if my daughter wanted to buy a best friend necklace for one of her friends, I’d have a LONG talk with her about what that might mean to the other kid, and try to express that she can never take the necklace back. I wish the mom in my situation had done that.
My daughter is almost 7 and she’s been told by girls she has played with before that they are no longer her friend. Girls can be mean. I also sat down with Natalie and explained that yes, sometimes people are cruel but she needs to continue to be kind to everyone even if it is hard sometimes.
I heard about that story where the girl was murdered. Scared me too :/
I have twins who are 10 and I understand the hurt you have for your daughter. None of us want our children to experience pain. I don’t think it’s fair though to label her friend a “mean girl.” Was taking the necklace away mean? Of course it was. But that doesn’t mean she’s a mean girl. It means she’s a child who made an impulsive choice that hurt your daughter’s feelings. And I don’t think hoping your daughter doesn’t again choose a best friend is going to help. We like people differently. That’s human nature. I know that I have friends that I’m closer to than others and yes, I have a best friend. Children, just like adults, are going to be closer to some people than they are to others. I’ve reminded my girls that they can have many “best friends” and that they are to treat all of their classmates with kindness. It doesn’t mean they always do but it’s a message shared frequently in our home. I know I can’t protect my girls from the inevitable hurt some relationships bring but I also know many of those relationships will bring joy, happiness and learning as well.
Thanks for your comment Kristi. I agree, just because someone does a mean act, doesn’t mean they ARE mean. In fact, like I said in my post, I was even mean at first to my own best friend, but I definitely wasn’t a mean girl. One thing I told my daughter was that I hope that if she keeps being nice to this girl, she will see that she wants to be friends again. I think there is danger in handing out these necklaces though, and labeling best friends at such a young age. Best friends will come about naturally as kids learn to distinguish what a true friend is. But, when they are so young, if parents aren’t careful in teaching their daughters what it means when they hand out a necklace like this girl did, then there can be damage done that really hurts. Kids need to understand that, and the parents need to be the ones reinforcing that. It sounds like you are! 🙂
For what it’s worth, I can’t stand those “best friend” necklaces!
I like the way you parent! I’m not one myself so I can’t offer too much here but I definitely hope to inspire the same lessons once I do have children.
Thanks for stopping by Kate! 🙂
I am so sorry this happened. I cringe at every faint whiff of mean girlness that wafts past me or my daughters, even when it occasionally seems to radiate from one of them (ack!) The relief though is that one of my new (er) friends gave me the loveliest birthday gift last month… A BFF charm! If we’re (mostly) kind and true to ourselves, we do find the real friendships someday.
And until then, we have our mothers!
Awesome post as always!
Thanks Jen! If your friend ever takes the charm back, let me know! ha! 🙂
Yes, one day, they will find the true friendships. In the mean time, I will be tortured and stressed out!!
I love K.C. Wise’s comment below. Holding onto the fact that today’s hurt is tomorrow’s strength might just be the only way we can stand these times as a mother where we can’t fix the hurt. And I fear there are too many of those days in the future to count. Ack! It comforts me though to know that I’m not alone in this helpless love. Hang in there (insert image of kitten hanging in tree by claws.)
Aww, your daughter’s story breaks my heart too. I don’t have any little girls of my own, but I was one once, and I remember how difficult the whole friendship thing was. Still is, actually. I’ve always been a “one friend at a time” kind of gal … in other words, “a loner.” But I think I was okay with that and still am. We’re all difference, I guess. Our friendships match our personalities. Growing up is so hard. She’ll find her way though. You’re such a good mom. Thanks for that. Peace
Yes, I was fine having just one best friend for the most part. But, I think you have to be careful with which friend you choose. 🙂
Coming from the other side – my fiancé has never had a “best friend” and the affect that’s had on his feelings of self worth are very negative. He had lots of friends, but no one he could default to. Having a friend you know is by your side is as important as having your spouse by your side.
The term “best friend” IMO has no negative connotations. I can’t imagine telling my daughter “if you like one person the best, don’t tell them and don’t make it public.” What sort of message does that send the friend? The one my fiancé always had “You’re okay and we’re friends, but I don’t like you THAT much”
People will naturally gravitate to other people that they connect the most with. That’s not a negative trait. There’s nothing wrong with spending most of your time with the people you like best. That doesn’t hinder social skills. Having to spend time with people you aren’t best friends with will happen regardless of whether you have one bestie or five.
I think your cause here is noble, but I think it’s misguided.
My only “cause” is to write about my own life’s experience and the hopes I have for my daughter. Which is that she will have enough self-confidence to realize friends come and go, and sometimes the best friend thing isn’t always what it seems. I never said having a best friend was bad, and if you try re-reading, maybe you’ll see that my whole point was a best friend will come for her in time, but at 7 years old, that’s hardly a time to latch onto someone for life. Thanks for stopping by. I’m sorry your fiancé never had a best friend. That had to have been hard.
Wow. I only have two little boys, but I’ve only used the ‘best’ friend title when referring to their brother. They’ll have lots of friends, but siblings are just amazing. For all they put up with, they deserve that title.
I agree! 🙂
Wow. I really think you handled this well. I have a little boy, but I imagine boys can be mean too. I agree that people should be kind to each other. You don’t have to be friends with everyone, but being polite to everyone definitely goes a long way. My husband for instance is one of those people that likes everyone so when he doesn’t like someone, that says a lot if you know what I mean. I also read the story about two girls murdering their friend. Ugh. Mean girls…heck, mean moms exist in this world unfortunately.
My daughter was recently upset about the same thing. She felt like she had a lot of friends, but she was upset that she didn’t have a BEST friend. She felt like that was really important. I gave her the same advice you mentioned: it is much better to have a lot of friends than one best friend. I told her that I don’t even talk to the girls I thought were my best friends at her age, and that it took me a long time to find my real best friend….even then, I don’t have ONE best friend. I have a small group I feel closest to. And lots of other friends that make life fun. I think if we keep reiterating that fact and they see how we interact with many friends, eventually it sinks in. So much of parenting is repetition ad nauseum. I have to remind myself that I went through all of the same things and survived. Our girls will, too. 🙂
Yes. I did survive, that’s true. The thing that worries me a little more about this generation is the social media aspect of things…but that’s another whole topic, I guess.
I think that the lineI loved the most was this one: “Whether you mean to or not. And, it’s OK to love a friend more than others, but we don’t need to broadcast that fact to all our other friends.” I think that it is a great line to draw for this age. She can have a chosen sister that she favors above all else, but she doesn’t need to let all of the other little girls on the playground know. I think it’s cool that girls choose that one person to share their secrets with—I met my “best friend” for my k-12 years in 2nd grade. But we drifted apart in high school and that was perfectly ok. I think that if I had a daughter and she was going through this struggle, I’d tell her something that my father told me right before I went to college: “The five people who you decide are your friends during your first week of college will not be the five people who you hang out with by the end of your freshman year. You might keep one if you are lucky, but don’t expect it. Actually, if you do keep those give people, I suspect that you did something wrong.” It was really, really true.
Conversely to that, he told me something else that stays with me: “As an adult, I can count my true friends on one hand. The five people in the world you can call me and say ‘I need you’ and I would be on the next thing smokin’ no questions asked. And I know that they would do the same for me. I don’t need to have more than 5 people for that. That’s more than enough. If you can do that in your adult years, you’ve done alright.”
I guess, if I had a daughter, I’d tell her that it’s going to change too many times to count. That today’s hurt is tomorrow’s strength, and that someone deserving of her “best friend” title and acclaim is on their way for her. She need only wait.
You’re amazing, Meredith!
This comment was amazing. Such great advice when I was at a loss for words. Thank you!!!
As you know, I don’t have girls, but I hear about this kind of thing so much from other friends of mine that do have girls. One of our friends’ daughter was having a sleep-over and her “best friend” tried to tell her who she could and could not invite or she wouldn’t be friends with them anymore!! The caddy, passive-aggressive, back-stabbing starts so early:( I’m sorry you’re having to contend with this, but like everyone else has said before me, you seem to be doing a really good job of it so far! Good Luck.
This is the worst part of being a girl. I’m not sure how old your daughter is however in my experience this kind of stuff starts happening in about grade 4. So awful. My daughter went through a similar situation and fortunately she told me about it as well. We had a similar chat. I remember losing lots of sleep over that one! Looking back on it – the best thing for my kids was to join lots and lots of different sports. They ended up meeting kids from all over. Fast forward to now and I am getting emails from them saying they “ran into so and so on campus etc.” My son just spent the weekend with his sister and caught up with another student who he played water polo with a few years back. Long story short – I’d encourage the concept of having lots of friends both in and outside of school.
Yes! And, I’m afraid it starts even younger than 4th grade. I heard, so and so is not in my club in KINDERGARTEN. So hard. But, she has plenty of other friends, which I keep trying to remind her of. 🙂
Urgh… what a tough situation! My babes are only two, so you just made me realize how much I haven’t even considered in my parenting perspectives. I too deeply remember being on the receiving end of “Mean Girls” and it does really shake a person’s confidence. I think you’re right on track though – helping her establish her identity, and encouraging her to experience diversity in her friendships. That’s an important skill for adulthood too! I very much pride myself in my ability to carry on a conversation with just about anyone, and enjoying lots of friendships means becoming an even more well rounded person. I agree though – how do these girls get so mean? It’s incredibly scary… Hang tight to the opportunity that she has to be the exception though, the one whose confidence that gives her the strength to not need to put anyone down to feel good about herself. They’re amazing little people aren’t they?
Yes they are! Thanks for stopping by! 🙂
I won’t lie to you – this is a girl thing. They can be bitchy and clicky and it is down right annoying. But it is a part of growing up and you can’t protect your daughter from it. I hope I’m not speaking out of term, it’s just that I’ve been through it with my own daughter. She’s ten now and has had an on-off ‘relationship’ with her best friend for the last few years. We have helped her deal with each fallout and each time she has learned from it and it has made her a better person. In a way it is good for them to understand how it feels to be on the wrong side of a fallout because they will know and remember what it feels like and hopefully will not treat others in the same way.
It IS a girl thing. And, not the most fun sometimes, but we’ll get through it somehow! 🙂
I’m sorry your little girl had to go through that. It’s sad how mean kids can be. I was always the ‘strange’ little girl who no one wanted to be friends with, so once I got older and people started talking to me I made the mistake of latching on too tightly to one girl and after a big blow up I was left friendless again.
As for the necklaces, my cousin is in the first grade had a similar situation where her two “best friends” were trying to make her choose which ones necklace she’d wear because they said she couldn’t make both. My aunt handled it beautifully and spent an evening with her beading friendship bracelets for Addie to hand out to every single kid in her class so that no one felt left out.
Thanks for your sweet comment. It is so delicate. Sorry you were left out, but I’m sure it made you stronger in the end? I hope? That’s what I hope happens for my daughter. I just want her to have a ton of self-confidence more than anything, because I never had that as a child.
Meredith, I love this and I’m going to share it on our HerStories FB page. I totally get what you’re talking about. Our kids are the same age I think, and mine is ultra-sensitive as well. The BFF drama has shocked me over the past few years. The points you make here are right on. I don’t know what the answer is,either. 🙁
Thanks so much for sharing it Stephanie. The comments are worth reading. I got a few things to think about from those. 🙂 It’s so hard! And, yes, our girls are the same age I think too.
This is so tough. I have three daughters. My oldest (11) is bit of a loner and I worry that she doesn’t have any “best friends.” My middle one is a fly-byt-the-seat-of-your-pants kind of gal who plays with anyone anytime. She’s friends wight eh boys, the girls – everybody. My youngest sounds more like your daughter. She is 6 and has come home crying occasionally because someone said they weren’t her friend anymore. (Although, today she came home and excitedly told me she now has a BOYFRIEND!!). I think kids will develop more stable friendships as they get older and we just have to help them navigate the waters as they learn about relationships.
A boyfriend! So funny. You’re right. Helping them navigate is what it’s all about. But it’s so hard.
I too get nervous about the term “best friend” when it comes to my daughter, who’s in the third grade. It seems to me that the term is given very easily and taken away just as easily. They are too young to get it, and I want her to have LOTS of friends. Yes, there are mean girls everywhere and I am so scared f them. I blame the Disney channel:), except for Good Luck Charlie, there’s a sassy mean girl in every show, who is supposed to be funny. I don’t know, just a theory.
Well, my daughter isn’t watching those shows yet. Thank goodness. I guess there were mean girls when I was growing up too. We just have to figure out how to help them through it without freaking out! 🙂
This just makes me so nervous for my son to start school. Of course, right now he’s only 2 – and at this point, I worry a lot more about him being a bully, than getting bullied. But either way, school is a scary place! I wish I could just keep him here with me all the time and make sure he’s safe (or that he’s being nice, as the case may be). This was a great post and a good reminder of how important it is to teach our kids the skills they need in order to be successful and deal with issues that may arise.
Yep! It is SO hard to let them experience their own social interactions, but I guess it’s part of learning and growing up!
That must have been so hard for her. I don’t know how I’m going to deal with this as my son gets older, he’s a sensitive one too.
This brings back flashbacks of when my daughter was in kindergarten (she’s 22 now.) There was a mean girl on the playground who dictated who everyone’s best friend would be and who would play with who. Ugh. I’ve always thought the term “best friend” is exclusionary. Now that I have young sons (2 four year olds) I am curious to see how little boys will handle the issue of best friends.
Your daughter sounds amazing. I hate reading about kids who get their feelings hurt. I know that’s part of life, but I hate it when someone is stung because someone else chose to be mean.
She is amazing. But, of course I’m biased. 😉 Girls can be mean, but they can be mean as adults too. It’s a good growing experience.
Poor thing. It is so hard and kids can be so mean! ((Hug))!
Hmmm. Honestly, it’s not something I’ve had to deal with much, due to homeschooling. The kids wax and wane through friends, best friends, friends, but it’s not a daily occurance, so it hasn’t hit the radar in the same way.
Very thought provoking, thank you!
So tricky! I can completely understand your feelings. And having been the girl who felt left out or “abandoned” by a BFF growing up, it is hard. I have two boys and the older one has a million “best” friends. They don’t necessarily change, he just keeps adding to the list, which I like – I think? Just add this to the list of parenting questions for which there are no easy answers, I suppose.
Thank you so much for writing this beautiful post about our girls and their friends. My daughter is going through this thing with wanting to buy friendship necklaces for people she’s not really that good of friends with – she recently lost her very best friend due to some issues with the girl’s parents and it’s been very hard on her. I want to help guide her through this. I thought I was, and I thought she was doing ok (she’s 8) and then boom, she’s got this obsession with friendship necklaces. I refuse to let her buy them. Unfortunately, she asked my mother to buy her one and my mom did without discussing it with me first. This is something that’s really weighing on me.
I think certain children’s literature harms our girls’ ideas of friendships as well … The Rainbow Magic books, and Ivy and Bean, for example. Exclusive best friends. Plus, some of the shows on Disney (which I love, they’re adorable and funny) such as Girl Meets World and Best Friends Whenever. Most people do not have friendships like that with others, and certainly not at such a young age.
Thanks again for writing this post!!!
Thanks so much for reading! The friendship necklaces are a tough thing. My daughter is now 10, and it’s funny, she has several necklaces now from different friends. She doesn’t seem to care that much about them (wears them for a couple of days and then that’s it) I wonder if she still remembers that I told her not to wear them to school? I appreciate the positive comment though. Some people did not like my opinion on this one. 🙂
Hi Meredith! 🙂 I’m Stella, I’m a caregiver to a 16 year old girl named Rita.
Rita is a very special and brave girl, she has Autism, Sensory Processing Disorder, Diabetes, Mild Dysphagia, Mild Depression, Hearing Loss, and Vision Loss. She absolutely adores and loves the movie Lorenzo’s Oil (that movie from the 90’s with Nick Nolte and Susan Sarandon that you watched in high school! I shown it to her because of the brave and absolutely adorable little boy)
She carries Lorenzo Odone’s picture around everywhere, he does everything with her: whether it be riding in the car, going to the doctor, going to eat, watching TV, or playing outside. Lorenzo is always with her.
She’s never had a real best friend so she’s not as familiar with the term but due to living in a Neurotypical family and going to a Neurotypical school (we live in a small town. The school did have a Special ed. program), she’s heard the term. So sometimes, I hear her say “Lorenzo is my best friend.” When asked why, she says “He loves me and always with me.” I decided to use this as a teaching time for her, we made a list of all the things she does with Lorenzo, we talked about what makes a best friend and why it is okay to have another friend, we talked about how friends are there for each other.
Indeed, Lorenzo will always be there. I just hope we can make the picture last. She’s carried it around so much, we placed it in page protectors to keep from rips. She also carries the DVD of Lorenzo’s Oil and asks to watch it a lot. (It’s a great movie so we sometimes give in. She’s memorized most of it)
Rita has never met the real Lorenzo Odone but I can tell she truly loves him. Lorenzo’s Oil will be a special part of her life forever.
Take care,
Stella and Rita (and Lorenzo!)
I have a daughter who is currently 30yrs old and she moved to another province due to work related matters for greener pastures. She has a friend who is 7yrs younger than her.Her friend followed her to where she stays and they are staying together. My concern is that her friend graduated last year and when she moved to her ,my daughter told me that she got a job at the same province, only discovered that she is not working ,she is staying there without any support. Her friend was offered for a job to another province but she declined the offer with no reason. My daughter is the one who provide everything for her and also buy clothes sometimes for her.The other concern is that her friend becomes very cross and always has negative attitude whenever there ‘s other friends visiting my daughter.She sometimes being cross to me as a mother if I visit my daughter.
My concern is , I never heard my daughter dating anyoneand I do understand that she respets me very much as my upbringing is a very strict and prayer warriors environment howeer, I’m expecting for her at least to start dating for preparing for a future husband as my wish. As a parent I can see that her progress is deteriorating instead of progressing financially.
Kindly please advise.
I’m a dad if a six year old girl who this just happened to. I could feel her pain and it hurt me deeply to see her go though it. I will talk to her about some of the things you said. Thank you so much.