Wasn't there a movie made recently about "mean girls"?  I have heard from girlfriends about their struggles with their kids at school or with other neighborhood kids.  I listened but  I guess I didn't think I would have to worry about this with my kids since they were only six years old.  Wrong.

We have  our first "mean girl"  situation on our hands and it is breaking my heart.  They say the first five years of your child's life are physically challenging, the next 100 are mentally challenging.   I agree.  Sophie just can't understand why this little girl at school doesn't want to be her friend and why she is so mean to her.  She has shared with me over the last month different situations and I have listened and we have tried to come up with solutions, all to no avail. 

I have noticed this week that Sophies sunshiney personality wasn't as bright.  I couldn't put my finger on it but I felt like something was wrong.  When she came home from school yesterday, she broke down and cried big, fat, crocodile tears.  I comforted her and cried right along with her.

I must be honest and admit that I am scared.  This is the beginning of many, many hurts and heartaches.    Am I up for this?  Will I say the right things?  Will I comfort the way she needs to be comforted?  Will I  inflate or deflate her struggles?   My reaction is so important.   I read something recently that could not be more true;

"Making the decision to have a child is momentous,
It is to decide forever to have your heart go walking outside of your body"
-Elizabeth Stone

My heart feels so unprotected and vulnerable right now.   Lord, give me the words and the wisdom to guide Sophie.  Help her to find her identity in You and not in the world.