So when do you know....

....when to "stick your nose in" and give advice to your children? My son, who is 8 years old, and in second grade, was having an issue with his buddies. One of them has on three occasions to my knowledge, said to him, "You are not my friend anymore....I am breaking up with you...." He usually takes things in stride, but this time, there was a big issue. I tried to gently guide him on how to handle this situation. Some had told the friend that my son said he was mean.....which was not something that my son would say because this friend is a dear friend. So, someone lied, and it caused a ripple affect. I told my son to call his friend and tell him that he would never say that and that it was not true. They made up, then I encouraged my son to confront the person who lied, and he did, and that child said that my son did say that. I just do not want to get into the minutia of it all. How do you teach your children to cope with situations. I suggested that he just state the truth however to be nice about it. I told him that he needs to stand up to what is right, and not let people say things. Luckily, my son is very matter-of-fact, so, he usually takes things well. However, he did express to me that he was very hurt when the "break up friend" broke up with him on another occasion, he was very hurt. I told him that he should just try to be nice, tell the truth, and not let people treat you badly because you do teach people how to treat you. I told him not to settle for someone saying something false about him. As it turns out, there were issues with one friend being jealous and not wanting the other friend to expand his friendship circle which included my son. I told my son to just try to be inclusive, not exclusive, and try to be understanding as to how others may feel......possibly left out for example. He usually does.....but now, he was the victim of the nay-saying. I told him to just be "you" and you will be OK. If you have trouble with words or expressing yourself to ask me or Daddy, as we do not want him to have hurt feelings. I asked him to always try to work out any problems that may occur as we do not want anything to escalate. I need a glass of wine.....it is not easy being a parent these days....boy, do I sound like my mother....lol.....