What is it with this child? AIBU to think it's a bit smothering

[paganmolloy]

DS's pal who is 2 years older sticks to him like glue. Example: they both come into kitchen. DS will sort out a drink for them and will go to fridge, sink, cupboard and friend will follow him at close proximity whilst he does this rather than just standing in one spot. And by close proximity I mean almost touching, to the point that DS almost has to elbow him out the way to get access to the fridge. When they sit down on sofa, friend will almost sit on top of DS. If DS sits on a chair rather than sofa, friend will sit on arm of chair. If DS goes to toilet, friend will follow him and I'm sure would actually try to go into toilet with him if DS didn't lock the door. Friend will then wait outside door until DS is finished. He comes to door for DS and if DS isn't ready or not free rather than just buggering off he will stand and hold a conversation with him even when it's obvious it's not a good time.

If his parents are odd then he doesn't necessarily have SN, he just hasn't had the same amount of role modelling that other kids get

You learn your initial/primary social skills at home, if you live with adults that don't have'em, you're on the back foot

I wanted to be in friends houses all the time , I actually wanted to move in and never go home. It was quiet and sad and odd in my house. Which will have made me an odd clingy visitor. I don't think I have SN and I think I've more or less caught up on social skills but I didn't get the same headstart as other kids

Tinseltwins - that's very interesting and does strike a chord.

I was like this. I was, and still am, quite socially anxious and very shy.

I would not have been at all comfortable to be on my own in my friend's house with other family members there. My best mate had 2 older brothers and I used to stick to him like glue in case one of them spoke to me.

You probably see him behave like that when you are there because you are there - if you aren't in the room / at his house he is probably much more secure!

Dds friend was like this bit of an oddbod was just her and mum at home and mum didn't really like her away from her so she didn't do a lot away from mum so when she was with us she was really unsure what to do around the house she used to stand outside the toilet waiting for dd bless her

It's weird for a 14 year old to behave like that. I also think that although there are only 2 years between them, 12 and 14 year olds are in very different stages of development. I know that when I was 14 I definitely wouldn't have wanted to hangout with a 12 year old...