Life Stories 4
A 'Life Story' is the time my daughter and I spend whispering to each other just before she goes to sleep at night.
I know my daughter's 'favorite friend ranking'.
That's because she secretly tells me during this 'Life Story' time.
Today, I'm going to talk about my daughter's friend situation.
---
At night...
It's almost time for bed.
'Daddy, come closer.'
'Let's have a Life Story.'
It almost always starts with this phrase.
'What should we talk about today?'
'You decide, Daddy!'
'Then, shall we talk about your friends?'
'Okay!'
This is when I get to know my daughter's 'latest friend situation'.
By the way, this information is constantly being updated, so this time is perfect for getting the latest scoop! Haha.
---
'Who is your best friend right now?'
When I ask that, my daughter answers without hesitation.
'[Boy's Name]'
'Ah, [Boy's Name] is very kind, isn't he?'
That boy is a kind child who often buys souvenirs for my daughter.
Once, when my daughter caught a cold on a day they were supposed to play together, he bought a 'Pretty Cure cream puff' for her.
'I want to buy this for her.'
Apparently, that's what he asked his mother.
He's a truly good kid.
......Though, I'm sorry to say.
Since my daughter was feeling unwell, she couldn't eat the cream puff, so in the end, it just filled Daddy's stomach. Haha.
---
I continue to ask.
'Who is your next best friend?'
'[Boy's Name]'
'Ah, I thought so.'
'[Boy's Name] is a good kid too, isn't he?'
That boy is a friend I 'stole' from my daughter because his play in the sandbox at kindergarten was just too funny.
(*Please see 'Life Story 1' for details)
Apparently, he does whatever my daughter says.
Like a devotee of my daughter,
'Right!'
If she says that, he goes right.
'Left!'
If she says that, he goes left. Haha.
They say that even when they trade stickers, he always gives her a little extra.
However, this boy used to be 'number 1' until recently.
So honestly, I was surprised by the change in the ranking.
The world of children is also highly competitive. Haha.
---
And the third person.
'Who is your next best friend?'
'[Boy's Name]'
'...No, a boy again!'
Are you a femme fatale?
Or are you just keeping all these kind boys under your thumb? Haha.
Well, many girls at this age are quite mature.
They probably feel comfortable being with boys who respect what they say.
---
After that, girls' names finally started appearing around 4th place.
However, what was surprising was,
'I thought this girl would be higher!'
This pattern happened quite a bit.
It's not that they don't get along.
She likes them.
But there are others she is even closer to.
Children's relationships are quite deep.
By the way, 5th and 6th place were also boys... Haha.
I can't say it here, but I also know who she 'doesn't like'. Haha.
---
However, there is one thing I can say.
I think the current environment is truly a good one for my daughter.
Having this many 'close friends' is a very happy thing.
In fact, when there was talk of building a new house in the future, my daughter said,
'I don't want to be separated from my current friends, so I want to stay near where we live now.'
It seems the other friends feel the same way, and there is even a family whose house search was interrupted because their child cried after hearing they 'might move'.
That's how deep the bond between the friends must be.
---
'Who is your next best friend?'
'...'
It seems she fell asleep.
The end of a Life Story always comes suddenly.
Once she's talked until she's satisfied, she drifts off into a dream.
---
Recently, I've come to think that this kind of time is truly important.
My daughter's life from here on out.
I don't think it will be all fun and happy things.
Even if they are close now, there might be trouble between friends in the future.
I think there will be days when she has unpleasant experiences and worries.
At such times, I want her to rely on her parents.
I'm sure every parent wishes for that.
That is why I think this time, where she can talk about her feelings, is so important.
Talking about the friends she likes.
Talking about the friends she doesn't.
The fact that she can talk about these things might be proof that she thinks,
'It's okay to tell Daddy anything.'
---
That's why I try to listen to my daughter's complaints without denying them.
If I were to say, 'Don't speak ill of your friends,' right off the bat, I feel like she wouldn't tell me her true feelings anymore.
She doesn't have to play the 'good girl' in front of me.
Even so, my daughter basically tells me many of her friends' 'good points'.
'That girl is kind.'
'That girl is funny.'
'This boy is cool.'
'That girl is cute.'
When I hear stories like that, I think that my daughter's choice of friends and her way of interacting with people must not be wrong.
---
With those thoughts in mind...
The two of us drift off into our dreams, satisfied.
I'm sure she's having a fun dream again today.
And surely, tonight again—
'Daddy, let's have a Life Story.'
I'm looking forward to hearing new 'latest information' again.
Click here for past Life Story series articles
Click here for the continuation
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