What to do about dd 'friend'

[Outofideas79]

My dd 6 has a particular friend at school. She has lots of other friends, who are sweet girls and boys, but is particularly drawn to this one girl. Over the last few weeks she has left school in tears on a number of occasions, having fallen out with this girl. I have been happy to put this down to standard bickering, but a couple of incidents have bothered me. One incident we were together in the play park, and I watched as this girl intentionally threw my daughters toy into a garden. Not only did she laugh when my daughter became upset, but she refused to apologise l and didn't seem bothered about how sad she'd made my daughter.

Last week they fell out over a misunderstanding, and this girl refused to speak to my daughter for several days, completely blanking her. My daughter was distraught.

Then yesterday I walked with her Mum into school. On the walk she told me her daughter had said my dd had intentionally pushed her over, and really hurt her. I was shocked by this. Not only was I surprised my daughter would do this, but I was surprised that the school had said nothing to me. So I asked my daughter straight up if she'd done it on purpose. She dissolved into tears and had said that they were messing around in the play ground and it had been an accident. That she'd apologised immediately, and both the girls agreed it had been an accident. She seemed genuinely surprised that anything else had been said. And very hurt. She is a very honest child. To the point of having zero guile and being honest to a fault. I trust what she's said to me is true.

I've felt concerned in the past that her good nature could easily be taken advantage of. I'm sure all parents say this, but I 100% trust what she's said Is the truth. I've said to her that when this other girl is being unkind to her, to try and find someone else to play with, though not being cruel or unkind to the other girl. She says she does, but this girl always comes back to ask to play, and she doesn't want her to feel left out.

How else can I manage this, because I do feel its having a negative impact on how my daughter feels and enjoys school?

You don't manage it, you let the school do it as it's happening on their time, although you could give them a head's up if they don't already know that these two have a stormy friendship.

If you do mention it to the school, please don't embarrass yourself by declaring you 6 year old has 'zero guile', as that's not true of any child who is growing and learning to navigate things.

Hopefully the pair of them will grow apart, or just change friendship groups as they get a bit older.

If they are sat next to each other in class or lunchyou ask for them to be moved. Don't accept or offer play dates

Other than that you tell your daughter that you don't feel its the healthiest of friendships but ultimately its her choice whether she spends her break/playground time with her or not.

I really wouldn't give it that much head space though. Sounds the pair will find their own equilibrium