They haven't even started Kindergarten yet, but I knew it was likely coming. I actually let DCG's twin older brothers go earlier this year for the same reasons, they were 7 years old, and it was mostly the one brother (who she idolizes) that had the terrible attitude. I was hoping that since she has been with me longer and since a younger age that maybe it wouldn't be the same, but alas the 'cool' brother has won out in being the biggest influence on her behaviour. I had thought that some negative influences would happen once my son got into school, and was expecting this to start in the fall but a tiny part of me still hoped that he would stay sweet and kind Talking to DCG's mom today, she tells me that at her recent birthday party she was very mean to one of her best friends - apparently she opened the gift said "I hate this" and threw it away, then refused to acknowledge this girl for the rest of the party. Mom says that she didn't know what to do, but that she was embarassed and it was totally inappropriate. Today, I was on top of them all day long, reminding that it was not ok to tease, call other names, throw things around....it just makes me sad that kids are so easily influenced by their peers. And that they can be so mean to each other, even if they sometimes don't really know what they are doing at this age.