Helping an introverted boy share friends

[intpjazz]

HI - anyone with experience of helping their introverted child share more extroverted friends without feeling they've lost them to the other friends?

My 8yo son has really one friend he considers his best friend above all others, but his BFF has become closer to other lads (and unfortunately has more chance to play with them) which has left him feeling bereft. He has reacted by distancing himself and making an effort to be friends with others but his heart's not really in it. He's trying to be kind by playing with a lad in his class who seems quite troubled and the two of them are not good influences on each other.

I've talked to him a bit about it, but would appreciate any experience anyone has with this, how to get him to appreciate that his best friend may have other friends he wants to play with as much, but that doesn't stop him being friends, and try to keep himself involved, rather than visibly distancing himself and hoping that his BBF will notice. I can see it's difficult, because they get caught up in chatting and my 8yo finds it hard to not get pushed out, being quieter and slower to speak than them when all together.

[lotusbell]

Not quite the same but my son is 12 and both at primary and now at secondary he has had issues with friends who had other friends. I've tried to reason with him and see if from the other person's pov. It'll sink in eventually, they all have to find their own place in life!