I just wondered how much involvement you have in organising your DCs friendships and social life as they get older. When the DCs were very little, play dates were mostly driven by me,always conscious of making sure no friend was left out or offended and always trying to please others. Now that they are older I do less of this and things are less organised, often more spontaneous, and more led by DD.
The trouble is one of the girls in DDs circle is very sensitive and takes big offence to not being included in everything. She is worried about being popular and if she's not involved she thinks no one likes her and that she has been excluded on purpose. It doesn't help when things that happen at the last mintue, like a sleepover,that might appear to others to have been very planned. I feel like I am always explaining myself to her mum. DD is not at all bothered when her friends see other friends without her, she is just a very easy going character and being popular does not occur to her at all.
I hate the idea of any child feeling upset or feeling excluded but at the same time, at this age I'm not sure that I should interfere in DDs friendships or make plans on her behalf to please others. I am trying to see both sides here. Do I step in and organise all inclusive events or do I just let DD decide?
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How involved are you in you DCs friendships and social life?
5 replies
shebird · 20/06/2015 09:57
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