This showed up on my Facebook TimeHop this morning. Perfect timing. As always. Last night I was brushing Bailey and Parker's hair before bed when Bailey started bossing Parker around. I asked her to stop. It led to her say that some kids at school call her bossy. A few more words were spoken and she started tattling on Parker to turn the topic away from herself. I asked her if the kids at school also call her a tattletale ... she took off to her room crying. Mom fail? Maybe. Maybe not.
Moments like these are why Bailey and I established Girl Talk. It started a few years ago. It wasn't put into place on purpose, but it quickly formed a much greater purpose in our relationship. Some nights Bailey initiates Girl Talk and sometimes I do. Tonight was my turn. I crawled into bed with her to calm her down and talk about the situation. Just me and her. Open. Honest. Raw. Good, heartfelt conversation.
We discussed how she sometimes acts bossy to her sisters at home, which leads me to think that she might be bossy at school. We established the difference in being bossy and being helpful. It's a fine line. She's a very smart girl. I was smart at a young age and I was also called bossy a time or two. Shocker. I know. Unfortunately, at that age, it's not a compliment. It hurts. Being smart is a good thing, but I want her to recognize that not everyone matures at the same level. Honestly, some never do, but that's another blog altogether. She liked hearing that I could relate, and that I'm here for her ... as an understanding ear, but also as a mom who offers correction.
She also shared with me that some of the kids call her a tattletale. This is also a trait I see at home so I can only assume the same goes for school. Again, we discussed the pro's and con's.
Like this picture states, I want her to actually tell us when it's something that we truly need to know. But, if there's no blood, no one is harming her, and no one is harming themselves, then she needs to address the situation with the person that she's tattling on. For example...
Bailey - "Mom. Lou stuck her tongue out at me."
Me - "Instead of telling me, go tell Lou that you don't like when she does that."
Problem solved. Well, no, it's not that easy, but we're learning. Bossiness and tattling take practice. They're so easy to do, and so hard to contain. But, I have faith in my girl. After all, I turned out OK so there's certainly hope for our little Leader.
