I think a lot of kids have issues at this age and not just the gentler ones. DD1 is very outgoing but 'even' she comes home some nights upset because x wouldn't play with her or called her a "poopyhead". She hasn't worn pants for six months because someone told her she looked dumb in pants. Now if I ever find out which kid that was, they will get a serious piece of my mind because I had to go out and buy a whole heap of skirts and tights because now she refuses to wear pants after living in pants for the first three years of her life.

I don't know if it's true of boys too, but it seems a real age for girls of being obsessed with who is their "best friend" and to get a bit cliquey.

I probably have the opposite concern in that DD doesn't seem to play with the same girls, she just plays with whoever. Yes, that should be a good thing but I worry that she's so in-your-face that the other kids just tire of her.