Advice Needed ASAP

[trollbabyfeet]

We have a situation, and I'm not completely sure how to handle it.  Opie has a friend from school (let's call him Lane) to whom he is very close - "best friends" to hear him tell it most days.  Lane comes from a very good family, and we think he's a lovely little boy.  I've met his parents two or three times, and they seem like good people.  Opie

Comments

[cabin77]

If I were you, I would do exactly what you guys are doing - contact the parents and clear up any misunderstandings. Make sure that Opie has the correct story from Lane. And then explain what was going on. Explain it just like you did here.

If we were Lane's parents, I think I would have come directly to you guys before making a decision - either spoken to you at the dugout or called later to explain why we were thinking of distancing ourselves from your family. It really sux when a family is all of a sudden distant without a face to face confrontation - just hints here or there. Oh, I'm sorry. We're talking about Lane's parents, not Kate's! ;-)

And if they decide that they still cannot have anything to do with your family - even after explanations and/or corrections - maybe your family is better off without them in the long run. Speaking from experience here! YOU know!

Love to you guys and keep us posted on what happened!

[incandragon]

I think you've got a handle on it. That's exactly right.

If they still abide by their original assessment, it's a great opportunity to explain to Opie that sometimes people will decide not to like you for a reason outside of your control ... and that that is okay. There are going to be misunderstandings and mistakes in life, and you need to figure out how to handle them without getting righteously angry (or having your heart broken).

Your goal in life is NOT to have EVERYONE like you. That won't happen. It's to be a good person.

[towertheatre]

Ditto. We're always told that communication is the big thing--so communicate with Lane's parents. It might turn out that there is nothing to it at all and it'll be easily cleared up. Since Opie seems to enjoy being with Lane, I hope that's the case. If not, it's good that you find it out now. You are doing the right thing.

[texanfan]

I think you're taking the exact right course of action. The parents should talk this out rather than a game of telephone through the children. Just start the conversation with, "I think there may have been a misunderstanding." No need for accusations.