Mean Girls

As I've been around more and more kids over the past two years, I can honestly say that at least at the elementary level, girls are more mature than boys. In general, they are far less impulsive, can keep control of their bodies better, and are slower to anger. That being said, I am so glad that I never had to be a girl in the 5th grade. Not only are they sensitive, but that sensitivity is amplified because they are flat out MEAN to each other!

I'm at the age now that I need to watch what I eat or else I can see the effects it has on my body. A few months ago, I mentioned with excitement that I discovered fat-free cream cheese at the grocery store, to which my girlfriend said "Really? I knew about fat-free cream cheese since the 5th grade!" I chalked that up to me not being very perceptive until yesterday. One of my girls was crying and said her friend (a girl) was saying mean things to her - that she was calling her fat. I can't imagine the negative self image this can give someone! No wonder girls discover fat-free cream cheese, diet coke, and lean cuisine at an age where their bodies and metabolisms can handle ANY kind of food. One of my colleagues that I confided in about this issue was up all night thinking about this, and told me she remembers what it was like for her in the 5th grade. Me on the other hand, I can barely remember college, let alone what the 5th grade was like for me.

I consoled the child and arranged for the two girls to talk things out. Turns out that this was a culmination of many small fights due to miscommunication, and even this event was not what it seemed. The two girls made up, and all is right again in girl world. Tis the life of a teacher - part teacher, part counselor, part parent, part everything. I know I can't be all things to all kids, but you better believe we have to wear many different hats. But I love my job because children speak from the heart. Not 24 hours later, one of the girls gave me a handmade card. It said... "THANK YOU! For helping me with my problems." Would we as adults go to that much trouble to thank even our closest friends?