A friend made the same book recommendation! I have it - I have to read it.

Our situation is tough socially because we're scraping by in a very affluent community. So we're lucky in that the public schools are well supported by the community and the families. But it's a lot of pressure all around. The girls my daughter hangs out with can have anything they want, etc. Our financial situation is not as rosy. Even if we could afford to give her everything, we wouldn't of course. But we can't and moreover, I work full time, which is also different from most of the other moms. She's a great sport, and I am really making an effort to work at home as much as possible so I am as available as possible. I just know it is going to be tough.

Reading about the email your son wrote made me cry! Yesterday after a very good guitar/piano lesson, DD was marching around the house chanting "I am 11!" over and over - it was so funny, but I wish I could just bottle that self-esteem and positive energy she was feeling at that moment because she'll need it later, I just know.