Making Friends

From Heidi

In the past, playdates were more for meeting my needs for socialization as a mama, than Gus’s need for play. Most of the time they spent together in independent playing seemingly oblivious to their “friends”– though I know that research shows they are really learning a lot from each other during this parellel play.  Looking back, I really enjoyed the quietness of this playtime– the mamas and papas chatting over coffee as the kids played in their corners.  Now that there is more interaction between the kids, there is also more conflict (sharing, pushing) and therefore more intervention from the parents. They play games they make up together (chase, hide in the box) and organized games (red light/green light, musical chairs).

Interestingly, Gus is also starting to show a preference for certain friends– and his choices surprise me!  I would think he would like kids with personalities like his own (more serious, quiet, and into trains), and he does, but he seems to also really like kids that are a bit more boisterous and wild.  Gus has just matured a lot in the last six months– really coming into his own. Even though I am sometimes sad that he’s not my little baby who needed me so much it blurred the boundaries between us, I am so proud to see his developing independence and confidence. So proud to watch this person become.