Why I’m grateful for friends, including my daughter’s friends #StreamTeam

Rachel
November 25, 2014
8:06 pm

Motherhood is full of surprises. I know, that’s both obvious and an understatement. My favorite maternal surprises are the ones that bring me unexpected joy. I didn’t anticipate how much I would enjoy watching my daughter make friends. And while I knew that I’d always be grateful for friends who were mine, I find myself including my child’s friends on my gratitude list this Thanksgiving.

That’s not a new trend. I’ve been grateful for her friends going back quite a ways now.

The picture of my daughter and her best preschool buddy hold hands at 3-year-old story time at the library is still one of my favorites.
Hearing kindergarteners holler, “Bye, Megan!” every single day at dismissal made my heart swell.
Learning that, on my daughter’s first day at a new school, a little girl in her class asked her to eat lunch with her brought me such comfort and relief.
Knowing that they’re still fabulous friends four years later makes me teary. (And no, that’s not just the holiday tiredness and sappiness kicking in.)
Watching her navigate the tricky waters of junior high surrounding by a core group of really, really good kids who are mostly drama free makes me feel incredibly grateful. I am grateful for those girls, and for their parents who are raising them so well.

My daughter’s friends have taught her a lot, and I appreciate that they express their gratitude for each other. My daughter wrote a note saying thank you to a friend for being supportive as they worked toward a goal together in band. I love the note that the friend sent back with her thoughts on friendship.

Isn’t that awesome?

It’s possible, though, that this was my favorite part of the note.

So it seems that kids really do appreciate technology, so why not use that to your advantage when helping them appreciate the importance of friendship and what it takes to be a good friend? There are a lot of examples of great ones on Netflix streaming, and watching a show with your kiddo can be both a great way to literally show them friendship in action but also a great discussion starter.

Here are some great examples of friendship for little ones:

1. Bob and Larry: VeggieTales in the House
2. Bert and Ernie: Sesame Street: Elmo and Friends
3. Bo and Dezzy: Bo on the Go!
4. Tod and Copper: The Fox and the Hound 2
5. Clifford and Elizabeth: Clifford

Bigger kids can appreciate these titles:

1. Phineas and Ferb
2. Shaggy and Scooby:Scooby-Doo! Mystery Incorporated
3. Vada and Thomas: My Girl
4. Martin and Chris: Wild Kratts
5. Finn and Jake: Adventure Time
6. Charlotte and Wilbur: Charlotte’s Web

As for grown-up friendship, I of course loved Friends and cannot wait until the Ross, Rachel, Monica, Chandler, Phoebe and Joey are available on Netflix on January 1. Those Thanksgiving episodes were so good. SO GOOD. I don’t think I could pick a favorite Thanksgiving episode because they were so good. (Remember when they were playing football on Thanksgiving Day and Phoebe flashed the guys to interrupt the play? Not appropriate, and maybe not so friendly, but hilarious.)

Until the Friends episodes are available, though, my husband and I are big fans of New Girl. I may have to check out the Thanksgiving episode from the first season where they attempt to defrost the frozen turkey by putting it in the dryer. And I’m looking forward to hearing more about my daughter’s adventures with her friends, and hoping that they don’t involve meat in appliances outside the kitchen.

May you have a great Thanksgiving, full of friends, family and fully defrosted turkeys!

Disclosure: I am a member of the Nextflix Stream Team, and look forward to sharing monthly stories and suggestions about using Netflix streaming. I have received a year of Free Netflix Streaming and a Roku. All opinions in this post are my own.