To think my kids might get to see school friends?

[onefortheroad74]

Do your children (mine 8 and 10) see their friends a lot during the summer hols? So far have not managed to organise a single play date for my SEN child or the other one. We very much feel like outsiders at school now since diagnosis and I don't know if my expectations are unrealistic. I've asked a few people: one has booked back to back camps, one made a reason that her child wasn't up to it, the other hasn't replied. I feel so sad for my children. Today they played with a GAP year student but no invites on the horizon at all. We live rurally so everyone spread all over the place. Cousins are coming, but that's it so far. I really feel like I am failing my kids.

Take them to playground and encourage them to make friends there?

Mine don't see their friends much during the holidays - usually if we go to the park there'll be someone or other there from school, but organised play dates don't tend to happen much. One of mine is quite marginalised because of SEN (but that year group was a cliquey bunch from the go) and the other's best friend is moving away so she's going to struggle anyway.

How does anyone know about the diagnosis?

No because I'm flat out with work so they are in childcare apart from when I'm on annual leave and then we are on holiday. Sucks.

Because I told people I thought I could trust.

not that much tbh. Sometimes we manage to catch up with close friends if im also friends with the parents then we might do an afternoon at the beach, but often everyones booked up or holidays clash

Book the camp too?

Have you invited children from school?
Are the children friends with one child or both? Did your kids see friends over May half term ?

My kids will only really see friends if they are at the same summer camp (which I usually try to make sure they are). For days I’m not working, I prefer not to make plans too far into the holidays in case my plans change or we decide to see family etc

We don't do any school playdates during the holidays. They'll see other kids (cousins/neighbours/family friends), but it's a complete break from school.

I wouldn’t take it personally. Everyone I know is going somewhere in July, to visit family, or go on holiday, if they aren’t working (and then the kids are at activities/childcare). We won’t have free time at home until mid August so I might arrange local park meet-ups then, but I won’t plan until nearer the time - I feel even less inclined to plan in advance this year than normal as I’m always half expecting COVID related cancellations! I like loads of my kids friends and their parents FWIW, but I still haven’t made plans with them.

Mine have friends on the street so don't really see a lot of school friends in the holidays.

We are planning a quiet few weeks in the hope that we aren't pinged and have to self isolate before going on holiday.

Yes I would rather assume that parents are working and therefore children aren’t available for playdates as at childcare settings or summer clubs/camps, or are on holiday with family. As a child I was late primary school into secondary school when I used to meet up with one or two friends, and well into high school by the time holidays were about hanging out with mates (but now also of an age where I didn’t need babysitting hurrah!)

My children see their friends at least once a week during the summer holidays if not more. I'm good friends with the parents of my children's friends so that helps as we all genuinely enjoy spending time together.
We do stuff as a family with other families too so it's really nice as the dads get to catch up as well as the mums and the children.

But saying that I don't have any firm plans past the first week yet because I wouldn't want to commit too far in advance.
Would want to wait and plan around the weather.

DS doesn't see friends often during the holidays as I'm working so he has to go to childcare.