To be gutted my son's best friend is moving away?

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DS is 4 and just about to finish his 1st year of reception. Was told today by his best friends Mum that they are moving away back up North.

Am totally gutted for my son, I know this is PFB but I feel like crying!!

Is it worth them trying to keep up the friendship by writing to each other/staying in touch? My heart says yes but my head says no and to stop being so silly! 🤣

Aa sad as it is, at least he's only 4 so plenty of time to make new friendships

OP, children are resilient and friendships change. This time next year they might not even play together anyway.

It sounds as though you’re sad for your son but encouraging him to build other friendships is the best you can do. Unless you’re great friends with the parents it’s unlikely you’ll ever see them again.

I think at 4, he will soon forget.
If the family are going "back" north, does that mean they are unlikely to come back for visits? We have managed to keep friendships going for the 6 year old, but not the 4 year old. But it's been hard work, and only because i pushed things knowing we were likely to return here.

I completely understand. But he is so young and probably would move away from this friendship anyway. Dd has different friends now than she did at nursery stage.

We moved up north away from DDs best friend when they were both 4. 9 years on we are still in touch and visit once or twice a year. It helps that DDs friends mum and I are good friends, but this started with our DDs friendship.

He’s 4 .....

Aww you softie. Try and stay upbeat for DS, he will have other friends.

A best friend at 4 years old? That’s not a great idea.

Having him make a whole bunch of good friends will do him good.

Aw. My eldest ds had to move at 3, 6 and 8 due our jobs - not just down the road but to completely different parts of the country each time. Not ideal but he really did take it all in his stride - primary school age they are pretty good at making new friends very quickly. Your little one will be fine. Most 4 year olds start school not knowing anyone else in the class anyway.

Friends come & go all the time through school, social clubs, further education, employment, activities, travel

There will be plenty of opportunities to make new friends

This happened to me when my son was about 4. I too was really upset, probably because the other child’s mum was also my friend. Nearly twenty years on we still see each other a few times a year. Interestingly the boys have nothing in common now and never see each other.

Aww I'd be sad too. My best friend moved to Australia when we were about 5 or so though and I survived!

My child's friend is leaving too shortly, they have been friends for most of their five years. They are end of reception and plan to be penpals.

I totally accept I'm being silly and PFB 😂