DD is 6. She's generally a well behaved and sensible girl. In reception they pair the children with a study buddy. She was put with James, who can be difficult to manage and is told off and has to miss some of play time almost every day. They quickly became the very best of friends and nearly 2 years later she still absolutely adores him. Her teachers have said to us a few times that she's a good influence on James, but that he can be a bad influence on her. If he's doing something he shouldn't be doing she will often (I'm sure very willingly) go along with it and around once a week or so she'll end up being told off too. James has quite recently been referred to Senco for assessment because of his behaviour.
DH wants us to do whatever we can to discourage this friendship. He is dead against her seeing him unless there's no choice, like at school. We're deep into the summer holidays now and DD misses him so much. She seems really sad today. I asked her about it and she said she just wishes she could talk to James. I'm thinking of messaging his mum to see if they want to meet us in the park. DH would be furious at me for arranging it but he's a 6 year old boy, not Satan, and he's DD's best friend. They'll be together in 2 weeks anyway. It's breaking my heart watching her pine for him.