walk a mile in my shoes

About a week ago Mapi came home from school and said that she didn't think she wanted to wear her Keen sandals to school anymore. I asked her why not and she said that some girls at school had, on two difference occasions, told her her shoes are ugly. one girl told her in the gym, where she also kicked at her feet two times while saying "ew! ew!" after stating Mapi had ugly shoes. The other girl, Ashley, was standing next to Mapi waiting for a turn in the bathroom when she looked over and said "your shoes are ugly."

I talked to Mapi about her feelings and about differences in styles and ignorance and tried my best to keep my inner "mean girl" in check. I talked to her about options in ways to respond to this kind of situation. I told her I was angry that a 6 year old's comments would hurt my daughter and make her doubt her own choices (cause y'all....she LIKES the shoes). After a few hours Mapi asked to talk about it more, and a few days later asked to talk about it again. The weather turned cold and she had to wear other shoes anyway, so the issue was laid to rest for a while.

This morning it was warm and rainy as Mapi dressed for school so I asked if she wanted to wear her Keens and she said "yes." I coached her to say something to anyone who teased her about them, to tell them that "my shoes are cool; stop being rude." She looked up to me and said "That's what I did!" I stopped in my tracks. "What?" She said "I told Ashley that." I was confused. This was a new plot twist I had not yet heard. I asked for clarification.

it was then Mapi told me that the other day she saw Ashley in the bathroom. Mapi went up and spoke to her, finishing their conversation from the week before. She said (to the girl who probably did not remember her offense from a week ago) "my shoes are cool. Not everyone gets to have the same shoes." Ashley looked at her and in a slightly agitated voice said "fine!"

And that was that (I hope!).

What's with mean girl drama in 1st grade, anyway???? boooooo.