There were 2 little boys there (ages 5 and 6) and immediately they started the "I'm better" game. They compared ages, schools, grades, and abilities. June fell short at every point. He's only 4. He's homeschooled and any skills he could do, they could do. Those buggers were condescending and the mama-bear in me wanted to pounce (bears don't pounce... though attack sounds much more violent).
I finally told June that if they weren't going to play... and play nice, that he should go play soccer with Josh (who happened to be running in the field with the ball they brought). At that point, June went off with Josh. They kicked the ball, they wrestled and of course there was a spat or 2, but at that very moment I was so glad I had a sibling and one close in age that I could send June off with. Regardless of what the world throws at June (or any of my kids), he will have a brother or sister to stick with.
It really was a feeling of peace. June happily trotted off with Josh and never looked back. Of course I want my kids to have friends and I love that they do have a good circle of friends *but* in times of trouble or turbulence, they have eachother too and you can't replicate that. I stand by the fact that the best gift I ever gave my kids was siblings.
1 comment:
Don't you love when those little moments become so clear?
And what a shame that 5 and 6 year olds would already be playing the one up game. That to me is really sad, at those ages, kids should still be completely innocent and non judgmental. *sigh* Susie you write so well :-)
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