I am so relieved that my son is finally starting to socialize more with the kids in his class. Some of you may remember that his friend of choice for the past few months has been a kid 2 years older than him and spoiled rotten by his single mother. I think perhaps my son has been coming to an understanding of his own that that kid isn't really the kind of friend that he needs. He's practically a bully, although on a more subtle level, which is why I have been so worried about my son and his desire to spend time with that kid.

There are two kids in particular that he hangs out with from school, and one is spending the night here tonight. I decided to let him stay because his dad is recovering from hernia surgery and had a complication and had to go back to the hospital. I was worried for him for a while until his mom called to say that he would probably continue to recover.

Anyway, these boys both have a mom and dad in the home. It seems to me that there is a definite difference when you compare the behavior of a kid with a dad in the home to that of a kid without a dad in the home. (Not to disrespect single moms, but boys get to a point where they will challenge you, and some moms aren't up to it.) These boys are so much more calm and relaxed and well mannered. You tell them to settle down -- and they DO! The other kid was like a wild animal, hyper and out of control. My dh was home the last time that kid was over, and he came real close to sending him home. My son told me about the last time he was at the other kid's house, and they were rough housing, and the kid's mom told them to stop, but she didn't pay enough attention because she works on her computer at home for work. So, this kid didn't pay any attention to his mom, and just kept up the rough housing. My son said that he had enough, had told this kid that he'd had enough, and this kid didn't stop. He kept wrestling with him until my son got so mad he started crying. He said that he did it on purpose, like he wanted to pi** my son off. I am pretty sure that is part of the reason he hasn't asked to go over there since.

I hope it lasts!