And so it begins...

"___ says I can't come to her party."
This is what Ryan told me today during breakfast. (Names have been omitted--this is the internet after all). Keep in mind, that it is Sunday and the last time he saw this particular person was on Friday. Apparently, this stuck with him through the weekend. I'm so upset that we are dealing with this at 3 years old. Why can't kids wait until at least first or second grade to be mean to one another? Now, the child who said this is not a close friend of Ryan's. She is a girl and I know he generally plays with the boys. But the fact remains that his feelings were hurt by this child who has let him know that he is being left out.
I know that I am not going to be able to protect him from every hurtful word, mean comment and hurt feeling. I'd like to. I know that he remembers these things. Ryan still brings up an incident that happened when a few older kids told him that he was too little to play. As hard as it is for him to deal with, I think it is just as hard for me. No one likes to see their child hurt and sad.
The worst part--this is only the beginning. Unfortunately, there will be more of this, not less, as time goes on. Sticks and stones will break your bones, but words will break your heart.