Groom them when they are still figuring out friendships
\n\nHearing my eight-year-old daughter’s video call with her classmates, I realised how quickly a conversation that begins with showing off their NeeDohs, Legos, dollhouses, swings and slides moves to the other children in their class. 'Do not add S to our group.' 'P is so messy.' 'T was such a show-off today.' 'K is such a pick-me!' The conversation went on, with one name after another being casually dismissed, labelled and judged. It was enough to make me sit down with my daughter after the call ended and ask her what exactly was wrong with S, P, T, K and the many others who had somehow become subjects of their collective disapproval.
\n\nHer first reaction was surprise. Why was I suddenly so interested in her friends? And why had I chosen to leave my laptop at peak hour to discuss the people in her class? Then came the explanation. "It’s nothing, Mumma. There are some girls and boys in our class we don’t like. One is unhygienic, one shows off too much, another is not our type, and another is too silly to be included in our group."
\n\nLike a well-meaning…
Original source: https://www.timesnownews.com/lifestyle
