I have closed the forum at keepingthedream.net. I’ll be redirecting that url to my personal website, so if you’re used to going there and wind up at www.keepingthedream.com, don’t be surprised!
It was a fabulous learning experience. I met some wonderful people, and I’m so proud that I actually put together a working forum that was pretty to look at too! But this summer is really calling me to go on a writing sabbatical and to focus more time on my blogs.
Since I’m homeschooling my youngest, that doesn’t give me much time to do that. It’s become necessary to cut back on some of my projects.
My mom used to tell me my eyes were bigger than my stomach, because I always put more on my plate than a person of my size could handle. I think I’m that way with projects too! But I just love being creative and would rather have the problem of choosing which project I’m going to work on than deciding how to fill up my time. (I can’t comprehend that!)
If you were following or participating in the discussions in the forum, I just want to say I’m still interested in your opinion and experiences. You are always welcome to post your thoughts on this blog. If you have any questions or want to submit an article, just email me at relationalaggression at gmail.com
Also, I’ll be reposting some of the issues brought up in the forum on this blog to benefit my blog readers.
I want to thank all those who participated in the forum, and want you to know that there are always options and alternatives to whatever challenges may be facing you.
Be well and be empowered!
I was just reading about preschoolers and relational aggression on another website, http://www.askmeanmom.com I had NO idea that it could start so young!
Sarah
Hi Sarah! Yes, it does start young. Research shows that relational aggression is about the same for both boys and girls in preschool, but tapers off for boys, increasing for girls until it peaks in middle school or so.
This makes sense to me, because if relational aggression is about expressing emotions you can’t or feel you can’t express directly, then indirectly is the way you’ll go. The very young are the least sure of themselves and the least empowered.
Boys however are given greater permission to be direct, in fact, are encouraged to. Girls are not. Boys are, also, allowed to be angry. It’s not becoming for a girl. These dynamics create the background for relational aggression.
Thanks for the link. I checked it out and it raised some interesting issues, I’d like to address later.
Demian,
~DreamSinger