Hi CharacterCountsKris,

I also have a six year old daughter, and I must say, our girls seem to have a lot in common! She's coming out of it now, but my daughter also went through a phase where she only wanted to play with older kids. She has an incredible imagination, which she expresses in her play, and I have seen instances where other kids her age just are not tracking with her as she tries to play out whatever is in her imagination. My daughter also takes toys (usually a stuffed animal) wherever she goes, and I've often thought that she seems more childlike in her thinking than many others her age. She loves to be silly, doesn't always respond as I think she should in social situations, you know how it goes. We adults know that the world can be a hard place, and we so want our kids to have friends and be confident, don't we?

Ok, all this to say, there are some things I"ve realized about my daughter through this, and I hope at least some of it will be an encouragement to you. For one thing, little kids are just starting to learn how to navigate this big old world, and they don't always know what's "socially appropriate." I think these natural insecurities can come out through silliness, shyness, etc. They do learn, though, and they do eventually make friends. I have no doubt that your daughter will make friends as time passes. I've also noticed that with young kids, there can be a big difference in emotional development, and that's ok. Their personalities are so different, too, and that can affect their behavior as well. For me, I've come to appreciate my daughter's vivid imagination, and even though it's painful when other kids don't understand her, she seems content so I affirm and encourage her the best I can.

I think, CharacterCountsKris, that you'll see a lot of progress as you give your daughter time. She sounds like a wonderful little girl who's dealing with these new social situations in her own way. Maybe arrange a few playdates with families you feel comfortable with. If you still have some nagging concerns, don't hesitate to talk to her pediatrician or call our counselors for some advice. There are also some great books on helping to build your child's self esteem, including The New Hide or Seek and Delight in Your Child's Design. Her teacher would also be a great source of information regarding her behavior, how she interacts with others, etc. Thankfully, our kids still look to mom and dad for affirmation, and we can usually make things better when they've had a rough day. It sounds like you and your husband are wonderful parents and you obviously care about your daughter very much...she's blessed to have you as parents! I'll keep your daughter in my prayers, and I hope you'll keep us posted on how she's doing!

Sunny

Forum Moderator