Toddler Relationship Drama!

My daughter was rejected for the first time by her own kind the other day.  She is generally a friendly little soul, and she has missed her friend Reagan back in California a lot in the three months since we've moved.  She hasn't said very  much about it, but she lights up when she sees pictures of Reagan, cuddles the framed photo I have of her and Reagan in her room, and tried to share goodies with her friend when they talk on video chat. My challenge has been finding another mommy who is willing to get together for playdates and such.  I haven't found a friend of my homie Miranda's caliber yet, but I'm still looking!  One way to meet mommies is at Connor Park here in Canyon.  It's the park I usually walk to, and it's right next to a school.  As the weather warms up, more and more other mommies have been showing up with their littles--daddies and grandparents too.  Usually Bella is able to find a playmate, and if not then she happily plays with me and her baby sister.

Until the day before yesterday.  Two other moms were at the park with their little girls, ages 3 and 4, who were obviously best pals.  My Isabella followed those two rascals all over the playground, calling out to them and trying to be included in their play.  Apparently she didn't qualify to join the clique, and they not only ignored her but ran away from her whenever she came near.  Their moms even went over and told their kiddos to include my kiddo, but they would have none of it.  I watched my precious girl, my mommy heart aching for her but knowing there was really nothing I could do.  I couldn't force them to play with her, so I watched, wondering how Bella would handle the rejection.  After following the girls for about five minutes, she quickly figured out they didn't want to play with her.  She sat down on a step of the play set and put her face in her little hands for a minute, in such an adult gesture of deep thought and resignation I was amazed!  Then she looked up with a smile on her face, and came running to me.  "Play with me, Mommy?"  Of course, sweet child, I'll play with you!!! She happily ran and shouted and played with me, sliding down the slide and climbing obstacle courses, completely ignoring or forgetting about the elite clique who had rejected her.  And my heart bounded with pride that she seemed untraumatized by the event, and had already moved on.

Yesterday was a completely different story.  Even more folks came out to enjoy the gorgeous weather, including a young mother with her two young'uns each slightly older than my two.  Bella had taken possession of a soccer ball someone had brought, and the little boy around her age wanted to play with it.  He was obviously a well socialized and gentlemanly little fellow, and he didn't want to take the ball from her--he wanted to play with her.  Bella clutched the ball to her chest and yelled "No!  My ball!"  The little boy--whose name was Jack--looked up at me.  "That girl won't let me play with her," he told me.  So I had the opportunity to teach Bella how to share and play with others, and discover the delights of kicking around a soccer ball.  She and Jack played happily the rest of the time, and I was able to get acquainted with Jack's mama.  I hope we see them again sometime soon!

Oh the ups and downs of being a toddler.  I pray God for strength and wisdom to help my babies navigate the world and learn to deal with social situations with grace and discretion!

Reagan and Bella