Every day, our children face small situations at school, in the neighborhood, or within the family. These moments shape their future relationships and their ability to handle challenges. Here, parents—especially mothers and fathers—play a vital role in offering balanced guidance that preserves the child’s innocence while giving them experiences that foster healthy emotional and social growth.
In this report, we follow the experience of “mother Rania”, who shared with Nadormagazine her journey in teaching her daughter the boundaries of interacting with classmates. Through five real-life stories, she turned daily events into valuable lessons on social awareness, self-protection, teamwork, and respect for privacy. At the end, we’ll hear the evaluation and advice of education expert Dr. Maha Sayed Omran.
Story 1: Learning Social Introductions
On a sunny school morning, Walaa, age seven, sat beside a new classmate. She smiled shyly and offered her crayons to share while coloring their drawing assignment.
Her mother explains: “This simple moment marked the foundation of my daughter’s understanding of social relationships and boundaries. Respect, cooperation, and privacy are skills that children start developing from the earliest interactions.”
A smile at a classroom desk, she notes, can grow into values that protect them for life.
Story 2: Respecting Differences
During recess, Walaa noticed her classmate preferred to sit quietly reading instead of playing in the yard. Curious, Walaa asked: “Why don’t you come play? Are you afraid?” The girl replied softly: “No, I just love reading more.”
The next day, Walaa chose to sit with her and even suggested exchanging storybooks.
Her mother explained afterward: “This showed my daughter that people are different—and that’s not a bad thing. True friendship isn’t about identical interests but about respecting differences and giving each other the freedom to choose.”
Story 3: When Jokes Hurt
In the schoolyard, one boy began mocking Walaa’s voice. Others laughed, but she felt deeply embarrassed. When her teacher asked if she was upset, Walaa nodded. The teacher encouraged her: “It’s okay to say no when something bothers you. Mockery isn’t a joke. Respect is always required.”
The next day, when the same boy tried again, Walaa confidently said: “No, I don’t like this. Don’t do it again.” The boy was surprised and stopped immediately.
Her mother reflects: “This taught me that children must learn early on that any form of harm—physical or verbal—is unacceptable, even if it’s called a joke. Saying ‘no’ is not rudeness but self-protection. And reporting harm is not betrayal—it’s a way to keep themselves and others safe.”
Story 4: Teamwork Without Losing Identity
During a group project about “nature,” Walaa wanted to draw a large tree in the middle of the poster. Another girl insisted on drawing a big sea instead. The disagreement grew until the teacher intervened: “Teamwork means listening to each other and finding space for everyone’s ideas.”
Walaa then suggested: “What if we put the sea beside the tree? That way, nature comes together.” Everyone agreed happily.
Her mother told her: “Cooperation doesn’t mean erasing your voice. It means finding common ground while still expressing yourself. Group success matters as much as individual ideas.”
Story 5: Privacy Matters
One day, Walaa took a picture of her friend during playtime and shared it in the class group chat. Her friend was upset: “I didn’t want you to share my picture. It makes me uncomfortable.”
At first, Walaa didn’t understand why it was wrong. Her mother explained: “Every person has the right to keep their images and secrets private. Sharing them without permission is a violation, even if you didn’t mean harm. Respecting privacy is a key part of true friendship.”
From that day, Walaa learned an important lesson: privacy is a basic right, and respecting it is a sign of respect and trust.
Practical Parenting Tips
Children face countless daily experiences, but they all share a common need: conscious guidance from their families. Here are some strategies for parents:
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Open dialogue: Set aside daily time to listen to your child’s school stories and feelings without criticism.
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Encourage saying “no”: Teach your child that it’s okay to refuse situations that make them uncomfortable.
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Practice teamwork: Do group activities at home that teach cooperation while preserving independence.
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Promote privacy: Respect your child’s little secrets and teach them to respect others’ privacy too.
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Be the role model: Children learn more from what you do than what you say. Show respect, honesty, and boundaries in your own behavior.
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