I realize that this diary entry has nothing to do with politics, but I am at a loss and I just really need the advice and support of my fellow Kossacks.
Today, something happened that I honestly never really thought much about before. Today, the mother of my 10 year old daughter's best friend said that she didn't want her daughter to associate with my daughter because my daughter "isn't a good Christian".
Please make the jump as I tell the story.
First off, the other child (whom I will call "Cindy") and my daughter have been best friends for nearly 7 years (they became friends in kindergarten and have remained friends ever since.) Cindy is always the very first person on my daughter's invitation list for birthday parties and the two of them have spent the night at each other's houses numerous times over the years.
The girls have a day off from school tomorrow, and Cindy called my daughter on the phone (as usual)and asked my daughter if she wanted to spend the night at her house tonight. I said that it was fine with me if it was okay with Cindy's mom. Cindy asked her mom, and her mom said (loudly enough for my daughter to overhear) "I don't want you hanging out with here any more...she's not a good enough Christian, and she will just be a bad influence on you." Granted, my daughter isn't perfect, but she's a good student, doesn't cause problems at school, and is basically a good kid.
Needless to say, my daughter was crushed. She hung up the phone in tears, then told me what had been said. Then, she looked at me and said, "What did I do wrong, Mom?" What do I say? How can I help my daughter realize that she is not to blame for someone else's bigotry? I've tried to tell her that she's not at fault, but I'm not sure she believes me.
I guess my question is why someone who is supposedly an adult would treat an innocent child like this. Does anyone have any ideas?
(I'm not sure how to tag this diary, so any assistance with tags would be greatly appreciated.)
Update At the suggestion of several commentors, I made the call to Cindy's mom. There was no "misunderstanding". I was told, in no uncertain terms that, because I was not bringing my daughter up in a "proper Christian home", and allowed her to read such "works of evil" as the Harry Potter series the Lord of the Rings and "who knows what other vile trash", she didn't want my daughter in her home, nor did she want her daughter "subjected" to my "type of parenting". She reiterated that she has no problem with the girls being friends at school (where they will be "appropriately supervised"), but that was all she was willing to allow.