Chinese Lullabies (Comforting Briana)

As you know, Bri had an issue with her new friend from school this past week. The girls were thick as thieves the first week of school and by the second week, her new friend became a bit enamored by another girl and the honeymoon period seemed over.

My advice to Bri was to either approach her friend about how she was feeling or try to start finding some other class friends. Sitting and doing nothing about the situation was just going to frustrate and make her upset. Bri decided she wanted to try to talk it out with her friend first. And of course with any kind of confrontation, it is nerve wracking and uncomfortable. (Bri admitted if I hadn't given her some advice on what to do, she would have probably done nothing. I guess every time something like this happens, we have to look at it as a learning experience. I am so grateful that Bri opens up to me about this kind of stuff.)

The good news is that she did talk to her friend (and as she says "didn't chicken out") and her friend explained why she was talking to this other little girl so much. I don't think her friend realized she was leaving Bri out so much. Now that she is aware, hopefully it will fix things. Fingers crossed. (It already seemed to improve a bit the day Bri talked to her.)

Briana was so brave that day. She took care of business. I am so proud of her.

I suggested to Briana that she try to befriend the girl her friend likes as well ~ why not all be friends? Why does it have to be one or the other? Right? (This is something Bri has to work on a bit - her introvertedness when it comes to making groups of friends at school.)

Knowing that she had to talk to her friend the next day, she was not able to fall sleep. Briana rarely comes into my room once she is in bed. She only comes to me when really necessary. That night ~ she came into my room and it was necessary.

She was really nervous and couldn't get sleepy. I escorted her back to her room, put a cold washcloth on her forehead and put on the "Chinese Lullabies" music that we used to listen to every single night when she was a baby. I sat on the side of her bed, stroked her hair and held her hand ~ wishing I could take the hurt and fear away. I hate those moments where you just can't "fix it" for your child.

In the grand scheme of life, this was a very, very minor thing. But to her, it was a big deal. So to me, it became a big deal.

At the same time, it reminded me that even though she is nine years old, she still needs her mom to stroke her hair and help her get to sleep once in a while. It was a very bittersweet moment.

It is a moment that will remain etched in my memory.