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Original poster

My son has no friends

15 replies

FrancisSeaton · 30/09/2023 17:27

He's 7. He gets on okay enough at school but he doesn't have anyone he can call a friend. I've tried all you can really by talking to other parents of the kids he seems to like. I've asked if they want to meet up with the kids somewhere . I've asked if their kid would like to come round. Nobody ever takes him up and if something is arranged the other person will without doubt pull out and then I'm left with him sobbing as nobody wants to play with him. It's really upsetting me now as he's starting to feel left out and he keeps asking me why nobody plays with him

OP posts:
Bluevelvetsofa · 30/09/2023 17:33

How about having a word with his teacher. S/he will have some insight into how he interacts with other children in the class.

MrsTerryPratchett · 30/09/2023 17:36

Does he do anything out o school? DD struggled with friends at school, she has ADHD and was very full-on. But she had a few people outside school so knew it wasn't her.

Everything changed at around 11 when she found her Nerd Herd. It's all better now.

OrangesLemonsLimes · 30/09/2023 17:37

I think that the teacher or the teaching assistant may have some words of wisdom here. He or she will have seen how your son interacts with others on a day-to-day basis. Have a chat on Monday and take it from there.

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caringcarer · 30/09/2023 18:25

Does he hav a hobby he enjoys? If so can you sign him up for after school activity? If not sporty what about cubs? All DC are included in cubs.

HeffyAgain · 30/09/2023 18:29

Definitely sign him up for Cubs if you can, it is usually full of lovely inclusive kids and they hammer home the point about being kind and looking out for each other.
As others have said have a chat with his teacher and ask if they have noticed anything.

fgsstopbs · 30/09/2023 18:29

I could of wrote this myself but it's my daughter who's 7.

Original poster
FrancisSeaton · 30/09/2023 22:15

I will chat with his teacher and see if she can shed any light

OP posts:
willowthecat · 02/12/2023 11:04

Has this been an issue since nursery/younger years ? My ds2 has struggled on and off with friendships throughout the school years mainly because he likes 1-1 or 1-2 friendships not big groups/gangs. Try not to pass your anxiety on to your son and take a slower pace as if people are pulling out you need to not expose him and yourself to that upset. I would definitely ask the school teacher about the class dynamics to find out what is happening there. Our society is superficially busy and social and yet it's so easy to just be overlooked for no real reason - is he new to the school/class/area ? Things will change if you take action now to get him more involved with his peer group but there are no quick fixes but as he is only 7 you have time on your side

x2boys · 02/12/2023 12:42

My son struggled making friends at primary school.I used to worry about it
He's nearly17 now and three close friends who he met in year 7 and lots of other friends he met since starting college.

FrightenedPanda · 02/12/2023 12:48

What does he like doing, what are his language skills like, is he bossy or dominant ?

Original poster
FrancisSeaton · 02/12/2023 13:34

FrightenedPanda · 02/12/2023 12:48

What does he like doing, what are his language skills like, is he bossy or dominant ?

He can be bossy and he likes his own games he tends to have an agenda
I've explained to him so many times he needs to give and take and be a bit more flexible but he gets hyper focused
I'm worried he may have adhd but the school don't seem concerned so 🤷‍♂️

OP posts:
Lou9685 · 27/05/2024 00:08

Hi, came across your post and my heart goes out to you. My little boy is the same, hardly gets asked on play dates apart from one friend. I’ve had kids over but no reciprocal invites. He’s beginning to feel it now. He’s being assessed for adhd as he can be in other kids faces but still….. breaks my heart every day.

Thepatioisready · 27/05/2024 00:20

What's he like with you and his dad? Why does he need to be bossy? Is he imaginative?

Femme2804 · 27/05/2024 00:41

you son just like mine. He is autistic, but he got bestfriend and his bestfriend autistic too. Its really hard to be friend with neurotypical child if its only DS. But i’m a very active mum, i’m the one who arranged playdates, i’m the one who friendly and become friends with other mums. And now because i’m friend with others mums so we often have playdates and DS got many friends now

ToysRus56 · 12/10/2025 07:33

@FrancisSeaton hello, I know this is an old post but I just wondered if this had improved?

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