I’ve got a 5 year old DD. She’s generally a nice kid and is usually quite happy, kind, caring to others, etc. Not perfect but no cause for concern anywhere in particular.
But she gets terribly upset very easily when playing with particular other kids. I cannot figure out how to manage it or what to say to her to avert the massive strop.
It’s usually when the other child points out that they are better/cleverer/stronger than her. I think she’s reacting to the divisiveness of it rather than actually being upset at losing - as she doesn’t really get upset at losing games, making mistakes, and usually seems happy for her classmates when they win something or get a certificate etc.
It’s a little difficult because the threw kids I’m thinking of in particular are madly competitive and can’t do anything without pointing out how good they are at it. So there’s a pattern in their friendship that’s becoming quite predictable.
But I need to figure out how to help my DD not go off on one whenever it happens! She’s great at plenty of things and is usually quite proud of herself, but she goes to pieces when another child points out they’re better at X (some arbitrary thing that only five year olds care about, like braking on their bikes or standing on one leg!)
I’ve read so many great tips on MN over the years that I thought some of you might have some good pearls of wisdom about what to say in the moment, or also how to speak to DD about it afterwards so she can ignore it next time. Thank you in advance!
P.s. The context is usually the other children’s parents are there but haven’t noticed the comments made by their child so mine just seems out of the blue having a tantrum. I like the parents of all the children so don’t want it to become A Thing if I can help it.