My DS doesn't have a best friend

[Ilovehatecleaning]

He does have friends but he's no ones best friend. The friends he does have seem to think he's ok but he's not the central point of anything. If he didn't go, I don't think it would matter.
I feel very sorry for him. He's a nice kid. He:s not one of the 'cool' ones.
I want him to be happy but he's often lonely. Has anyone been in this position? It breaks my heart.

I told mine not to have best friends and they always mixed freely.

Best friends are usually pushed by parents and I know a few who actually disposed the person they were pushed onto.

Leave him to make his own friends and find his way.

My DS is the same and I know it gets him down sometimes that he doesn't have that connection with anyone. He gets along well enough with the kids at school. He starts secondary next year and Im hoping that a bigger group of kids will help.

Thank you. It's him who wants one. Think he wants to feel special.
I can try my best to make him feel wanted but if this came from a peer, I know it would seem better

@GingerPCatt

My DS is the same and I know it gets him down sometimes that he doesn't have that connection with anyone. He gets along well enough with the kids at school. He starts secondary next year and Im hoping that a bigger group of kids will help.

You've explained it better than I have. He wishes someone felt more of a connection with him

My DD1 (10) has only just made her first “best friend” in year 5. Sometimes these things take time. This is a case of being careful what you wish for. DD2 has two beat friends and they are awful! (Rude, violent, generally hard work) I don’t have a best friend myself and I do sometimes feel sad about that so I see where you are coming from. What year is he in? Also, if the girls in DD1s year are anything to go by, best friends change a lot!!

Some children work better as one of a group, others work better on one on one. There's no better way/worse way.

If he wants a best friend, what is it he wants?
Close relationship with one person?
Person to be his partner?
A friend/any friend?
Does he find it easier to be playing 1 on 1?

It also depends on how old he is. If he's year R, then not many really have best friends at that point. If he's year 5/6 there's a good chance he won't get that relationship at school before he moves to secondary.

Encourage him to make lots of friends and maybe one will turn into that best friend.

None of my four have a “best” friend