Primary school friendships

[rainingcatsandogs]

DD is in Y1 and a 2 form entry school. We have just been told that the school is planning to mix the classes for Y2 - they were also mixed going into Y1.

DD has a best friend and DD puts her all into this friendship, sometimes at the expense of making friends with others. Another girl in the class who DD was at nursery with and has never really gotten along too well with, has decided that she wants to befriend DD's best friend. Best friend has almost "dumped" DD and gone off with her new friend leaving DD distraught.

The teacher has been aware of the situation and we agreed that DD would benefit from being buddied with others in the class to help broaden her friendships.

DH thinks her best friend hasn't been good to DD in terms of friendships and thinks it would be better if we asked that they were separated for Y2 to help DD make a wider circle of friends and to stop her being so reliant on best friend.

I am torn and not sure - any advice?!

My DC school is like this. They mix up the classes every year but we have a lot of composite classes. My youngest seems to spend one year with his best friend then the next year in a different class. They are always disappointed when separated but this has helped him find other friendships.

We are always told not to ask for kids to be with certain kids as there are lots of considerations when they decide classes.

Has your DD been buddied up with other kids yet? If not I'd try to get that going before the summer holidays. Try to support with a few play dates or park meet ups with buddies to help strengthen new friendships. Maybe not just the girls but include boys too, my DS's other best friends is a girl.