So my DD is in year 3 at school and she doesnt have any friends :( i always ask who shes played with or what did she do at lunch recess ect, she used to just float around with different kids. But lately she has been saying no one, or a teachers name. I asked if she feels lonely or sad when she has no one to play with, she just says 'no its fun'. Im sure she is just saying that so i dont worry though. Im not sure how to help her. She plays netball and i am always taking her and her siblings to places where there are other kids to interact with. There was one friend she was playing with a bit more so she has had a few play dates at her house and shes come here for a few playdates and a sleepover but i noticed they stopped playing with each other alot. My daughter came home the other day and said she wasnt invited to this other girls birthday party. I could see she was upset. She tried to be brave and said she didnt care. But you could tell she was pretty hurt. (Apparently its because her friends older brother doesnt like my daughter) My daughter is not a bully and hasn't been in trouble at school before, she can be pretty bossy though. I am a single mum, and i dont have ANY friends. i am very socially awkward (i have been told to my face before a few times that im weird) so my daughter is getting this social weirdness from me. I really dont want her to be lonely. How can i help my daughter find some friends?
5 Replies
Have you tried a social skills group? OTs/speech therapist/psychologists often run them.
Also have a look at the social detective program. It's an online program.
It might be just a stage both my kids at around 3/4 ish never really had any friends they would just play with themselves. Now they are older they have their little group but are also everyones friends.
I read it as her child is in grade 3 at school, not 3?
Try asking her 'what was the best bit of your day?' And 'what was the worst bit of your day?' Kids will tend to open up more when they think it is a story telling exercise and there is less focus on her friends ( or lack of). Look at after school activities that she can do where she has common interests with the other children and interact with the other parents. You might find some parents who are going through the same thing. The PCYC is great for this and it's cheap!! Good luck Mumma.
Kids can be superficial at this age, as a teacher I have seen the left out kids become the most popular, because parents sent amazing cupcakes for the class to celebrate their child's birthday. Discuss your concerns with her teacher, maybe suggest pairing her with another child in the classroom to develop some friendships. She will eventually find her place in the friendship groups.