Who knew that being a mom was so tough. I mean, you hear people say it all the time … but I thought that the tough part was getting up in the middle of the night and potty-training. I passed that part of the test – I was ready to move on to the easy tasks.
No one told me that my first-grader would come home and say “No one likes me. I don’t have any friends.”
Without over-reacting and flying off the handle, I happened to realize that moving to a new school has really taken a toll – even in first grade. The last thing he needed to hear was “Of course you have friends. You’re the sweetest kid I know.” It may be true in my world, but it’s far from true in his world.
He’s very lonely for the relationships he had with friends last year. (FYI – if your child is transferred to a new school, request that he be put into a class with someone from his previous class. Three students transferred this fall and they were all split up. ARGH!)
I want to go up there and knock those kids around for hurting my baby’s feelings. What in the world are they thinking?
I know that God has a lesson in this for him (and probably me too!) But, it still stinks.
… and I mean STINKS.
Having gone through this many, many times with my own kids (I’ve even had teachers express concern to me that my child was always inside reading during recess – because no one would play with her!), I can tell you the one amazing quality that comes from this: compassion. Never will any of my children allow another child to sit alone. Now that they’re a bit older and have more social strength and maturity, it’s amazing to see how they care for others who may be feeling how they felt. Good luck with your little guy. I absolutely know your pain.
Oh, yes, we have prayed many a time in Moms in Touch for those kids who feel like they have no friends!! Or for specific requests that God would give our kids Christian friends! I hope he will feel better; I will say a prayer for him that he will find a few little friends quickly. Can you arrange a play date for a few “potential” friends to help things along?
Take care,
Suzanne
It does break a mamma’s heart to know your child feels lonely. I’m sorry.