Finding Her Way

The day the lists went up, phones rang off the hook. Children planning where they would meet to go check. We rode our bikes and sped down the hill to the school. We arrived along with the other throngs of students, looking with great anticipation. What teacher did we have? Were our friends in our classes?

The only year my best friend was in my same class was the year we met, 2nd grade. After that we were never in the same class. While we were always very disappointed, it never stopped us from playing together at recess or sneaking to the adjoining wall to talk sharpen our pencils.

While the methods of my children finding out their teachers has changed, the anticipation remains. On the day the teachers call to let their class know who they have, children wait and hope and pray.

On the day the phone calls went out this year we all waited. The texts started rolling in from Amelia’s friends Moms. They were all saying the same thing, their kids had Mrs. H. Amelia had Mrs. A. Every single one of her friends was in one class and she was in another. She was heartbroken. I took my sad girl in my arms and reassured her, “It’s okay sweetie, this just means you get to make even more friends!”. With that perspective she was just fine and was excited once again for school to start.

The day we went to drop off supplies, we walked into her classroom and realized she had two friends in there, and they were sitting right by her! I wonder if the relief in my face was as evident as in hers.

Everyday I ask who she played with and it is always the same answer. Her best friends from Kindergarten. Just like her Mama, even if they aren’t in the same class, they still can play at recess. I encourage her to include other friends she is meeting in her class, and she assures me she asks them if they want to play too. She is good at including everyone and making sure everyone feels wanted.

I love watching her make new friends. Of all my children, she is the most shy. She takes the longest to warm up to people and new situations, so I really worried about her this year. But, as children tend to do, she is proving me wrong in my original assessment. She is having fun, meeting new friends, and coming out of her shell.

While I was originally very disappointed her best friends weren’t in her class this year, I am now glad they aren’t. I am glad that she is forced to make new friends. I am glad that she is having to go outside herself and meet new kids. This is such an essential skill that will do her well the rest of her life.

How do you encourage your kids and their friendships during the school year?

This is a sponsored post from Hallmark as part of the Life is a Special Occasion campaign. I am so thrilled to be working with this fabulous company this year and to have the opportunity to share ways to make everyday occasions  special. 
For the latest on Hallmark deals and ideas, be sure to sign up for their newsletter, you just might see me there from time to time.