Thursday, 14 April 2011
Friends
My daughter is in her first term of school as a reception kiddy (or prep if you're in Vic). She is attending a lovely small - medium sized metropolitan public school which is only five houses away from home and has two wonderful teachers who job share.
She is fortunate enough to have a good selection of family backgrounds in her class. Some families have an Indian background, others Asian, others high or low income. What a fabulous opportunity for her to mix with all sorts of children from such a variety of backgrounds!
One friendship that my daughter has made has been challenging my parenting and social beliefs and I'm really grateful for it. My daughter has made friends with a child in her class who has quite obvious behavioural challenges which result in frequent outbursts in class and disruptive behaviour. This child doesn't seem to be able to make friends easily, is on the outer in the social groups in the class and often comes to school quite dishevelled.
I have been so lucky to witness, whilst I'm in the classroom reading or helping out, my daughter take this boy by the hand and help him clear out his work tray. Or take his hand and keep him on track at the back of the line on the way to the library. Or play with him in the playground when none of the other children will.
All sorts of crazy thoughts have been bubbling up since I've known she has made this friendship. Has she any other friends? Is she mixing with the wrong sort of kids? Will she get labelled if she hangs out with this child? Just the protective tiger mummy coming out in me there. Of course she has lots of friends in the class and plays with them quite often.
Most ridiculous of all is "Oh no!! She's a rescuer!! She'll be forever chasing men in her adult life that need saving!!". How absurd! Sure, I'll gently guide her if she starts to make such choices.
But this childhood friendship is different. This is a case of my daughter seeing someone who needs a friend. A pal. Some stability in their every day life. And she so willingly gives her friendship and her hand that I feel very proud of her.
We could all learn something from my five year old....
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8 comments:
Awww, your post has made me all teary - you must be so proud to have such a loving and caring daughter
Beautiful. And I love that your daughter has a new friend too
you brought a tear to my eye. A lovely friendship and a what a thoughtful, special young lady you have.
That is such a gorgeous, honest story. I particularly love your personal reflections and identify with them completely.
Your daughter sounds so incredibly wonderful, kind and thoughtful. I find my girls' school friendships so fraught with competition and politics. It is so lovely to hear a simple story of kindness.
So pleased to have found your space.
Wise beyond her years - and you too, for having the insight into the friendship to know that it could be hard but realising that this shows what a kind and caring individual you are raising.
Well done to both of you I say.
Well done to your daughter, she pbviously has great role models
What a sweetheart your daughter is. If only everyone was like that the world would be such a better place.
What a bloody fabulous kid.
And isn't it just the rudest awakening to discover that even as Mums, that school yard dynamic and politicking is not so far away?
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