January 19th 2021

Today was a day for walking, talking and making buddies.

We had plans to meet friends in a park for run around and a catch up. The park we were meeting at isn’t very close to us so I used this as an incentive to get a good bulk of our steps in. We decided to walk there, run about, bus home and see where we were, steps wise, later on.

On our way, Wee Daftie’s backpack was complimented by a very nice man and the two of them ended up having a brilliant, socially distant, chat about dinosaurs and keeping the world tidy, as we walked along. I usually don’t condone three people walking the width of one path but I appreciated the need for space as well as the need for connection.

It’s hard at the moment when you’re as social as my Wee Daftie. She can’t see her friends how she’d like to, she can’t go to nursery, she can’t have family over, we can’t fly to see family. She does really like me and her Dad but I definitely think she gets a bit sick of us. As hilarious as I am, I just don’t have the same way of playing as her other 4 year old pals. Just sitting and listening to her and her pals chat, I can’t compete with that! And, don’t worry, I don’t try!

We had one bump today when Wee Daftie made a pal in the park. As easy as it can be for kids this age to make friends – “Want to be friends?” “Sure!” – the fall out can be just as quick.

Wee Daftie had been running about with her new pal, having a ball, when suddenly I heard, “You’re not my friend! Go away!”

And my girl looking very confused and teary.

After we had a chat about it, not really getting anywhere because who can decipher an upset 4 year old, Wee Daftie decided she wanted to go and try to sort things out with her buddy.

Brave, and hopeful, she went over to say sorry and patch things up. Unfortunately, kids will be kids, and her now former friend, dug her heels in and didn’t want to hear it. My poor girl. But I was so proud of her. It was a sucky situation. And she was sad for a while after. Knowing she wanted to try and do right, by trying to make amends, is so heartwarming and makes me feel like I might be doing okay by her.

I really hope she remembers the good friend she made today, along the path, and not the one who told her to go away.