DD is a happy girl, who is turning 8 in a few weeks. As an only child, she is strong willed and perhaps needs to practise the art of compromise with peers a bit more. However, she is kind and sensitive, and would never intentionally exclude anyone or make them feel badly.
Over the past few months she has come home from school almost daily with a different story about friends having arguments, 'breaking up', making a plan to play a game at recess and running off instead with someone else, leaving someone out of a game, etc. Sometimes she is explaining something she has observed, and sometimes she is directly involved.
These conflicts and hurt feelings upset her (perhaps more than 'normal' because she isn't accustomed to dealing with/getting over sibling squabbles at home?). In the past, I've listened sympathetically (but taken it all with a grain of salt) because injustices (real or perceived) could often be exaggerated.
This however, is starting to feel a bit different. Things seem to be shifting from inclusive to exclusive socially. There are now smaller and more selective birthday parties, more playground 'pairing off' rather than playing with whoever is around/in the mood for the game in question, etc. DD reports feeling 'left out' sometimes. There are not as many invitations to birthday parties or for playdates (though girls are happy to come to ours, and I do extend invitations alot to encourage friendships).
I've heard about the tendency of girls to be fickle and mean to each other, but didn't honestly expect it to occur for another few years.
How are friendships evolving for your girls? Is this behaviour fairly typical? I honestly don't know if dd simply needs to 'toughen up' a bit, be more resilient, and not so sensitive - and if so, how does one convey that in terms an 8 year old can understand/implement? I feel concerned for her. Anyone have advice to share that has helped your own dd?