I have an 8 year old daughter. She is having difficulty with one little girl in her class. Kate was friends with this little girl at the beginning of the school year, but now does not like her. The other little girl tends to be very bossy, sharp tongued and mean with Kate. Kate wants no part of it. She has found a great group of girls to play with. Kate made friendship bracelets for her friends and gave them out this morning. I told Kate she needed to do this off to the side where she would not hurt any of the other girls feelings. However, the girl we have problems with pushed her way into the circle to see what was going on. I really felt torn. I don't want Kate to be the cause of anyone's hurt feelings. But. Kate is 8. Turning the other cheek is a hard lesson to teach an 8 year old. She understands what I am saying and she is very empathetic. But, when this girl is being mean to her, her reaction is to be mean back. I did let her teacher know this morning about the bracelets and told her that I explained to Kate and the other girls that it's great to be friends and have their bracelets, but if they were mean or teasing any of the other kids, I would take them away.

I was surprised to hear from the teacher that she had to have a tlak with this group of girls yesterday about the same thing. My husband thinks I should speak with the teacher this afternoon and explain to her the issues we have with the girl being mean to Kate. So she has the whole picture. Should I speak with the teacher? We by no means think our daughter is an angel, but I think she is reacting the way any 8 year old would. How do I express my concerns to the teacher without appearing as a control freak parent? Lastly, was it inappropriate for Kate to give a select group of girls these friendship bracelets?

I believe this is 8 year olds being 8 year olds. And their worst enemy may be their best friend in 10 days or next year.
And often unless it is serious things happening, you let kids be kids.

I believe you let the teacher run her class, since she is there,

Thank you so much. I will take your advice. My daughter does have a fantastic teacher. I always worry about when I should intervene and when I need to let things be. I trust that my daughter is a good girl. We have tried to teacher to be kind and thoughtful of other feelings. Thanks again!