New girls arrived at the park after about an hour of mostly boys running and sliding. Tatum loves playing with the "big girls" (you know, 4 and 5 year olds). When the new crew of girls came, Tatum asked me if she could play with them. I told her to go ask them (presuming anyone would just leap at the chance to play with my adorable, brilliant little darling).
Tatum: (shuffles some confident steps up to the new girls playing in the sand) Can I play with you? (smile)
Big Girls: No we're sisters and you're not a sister.
Tatum: I'm a sister, and Chase is my brother.
Big Girls: You're not our sister.
Tatum: But, can I play with you?
Big Girls: (big sigh...) We said, you're not a sister.
Tatum turns and walks back to me. Maybe only a Mom could see her shoulders slump a little bit..."Mommy they don't want to play with me." I cringe inside, and up the ante on my sand castle making.
...a few minutes later...a new crew of girls arrive. These girls appear out-going and friendly.
Tatum asks to play with this crew. Again, I watch in horror.
Tatum: Can I play with you?
Big Girls: No, we're on a play date and you're not.
What is it with these little cliques? Already?
So my little angel had her heart broken on the playground twice.
Now I know that everyone shouldn't be expected to share their sister, or they play date buddy... but come on. It's the attitude that surprises me. And as much as I wanted to intervene, nudge the big girls' parents so that they may apologize and insist their kids be friendly with everyone, I know that reality is that kids don't always share. Kids don't always get along. And maybe those kids really were sisters, or playdate buddies, but... snotty attitude in a pre-schooler is scary.
I think it hurt me more than it hurt her, but damn it's hard to watch.
