A lot of people say that our older daughter, Sydney, looks like my husband. She has many of his features. Her personality, though, is something we're still trying to dissect. In many ways, she's very talkative, gregarious, lots of energy (more like my husband). In other ways she goes in the complete opposite direction - very shy, reserved and clingy (a bit more of me).
This morning, my heart wilted when I dropped her off at school. She was so energetic and happy with me at home. Then we walked through the door into her classroom, and she saw her best friend, Ally (not her real name). Ally and Sydney are like peas and carrots. This morning, though, Syd saw Ally and said, "Hi Ally," and Ally ignored Sydney. Well Sydney grew instantly introverted, held onto my leg and didn't want to participate with the other kids.
This crushed me because this is the way I used to behave. I needed time to warm up to a crowd. I would get intimidated by the "cool kids" and shy away. As an adult now, and having dealt with all the crap, I'm over that (or for the most part :). I had so hoped that Sydney would not have those shy characteristics like me - and charge forward unaffected. Sometimes she does. And maybe all kids have a mixture of being unintimidated one day then fall shy the next? But from the parents' view, those shy days are hard (very hard) to watch.
I know I have a long (very long) road ahead of me by having two girls. I better buy some stock in Kleenex now. Girls = Drama. But I will do my very best to be consoling but keep my lips shut. For only through these experiences will my girls learn.
It's just gonna ache really hard!