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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

My Unpopular Child

283 replies

LunchBoxTeeth · 09/02/2023 16:33

My 7 year old DS isn't exactly disliked by his peers, but he isn't particularly liked either. If ever the kids are asked to choose someone to be with, he is one of the last to be chosen. Even when we have friends round our house, when there is more than one child, the other children are constantly calling "hey x, look at this" or whatever, but they never call out to my DS to look at things or join in. It's not that they purposefully leave him out, they just always choose a different child as a first choice, when one is available.

He gets invited to whole class parties, but very rarely gets invited to other parties. Now that whole class parties are becoming less common because the kids are older, he simply doesn't get invited at all. I asked him who he wanted to invite to his party this year, and it was heartbreaking to hear him talk about the people he really liked, because I know that they have already had a party and DS wasn't invited.

I spoke to the class teacher about it and she said that I could try having more play dates, or doing more clubs. But we already do that. Every week he invites someone over, but increasingly they turn down the invitation. He does some clubs, but hasn't made any friendships through them. I watch him play and if I see him doing something that I think might not be helpful, I talk about it to him afterwards, but nothing that he does seems such a big deal that people don't really want to be around him.

OP posts:
Tillyturtle · 11/02/2023 22:55

There is a really good book I found useful. Highly recommend it to mums. It's called the temperment god gave your child. Available on amazon. I found it I sightful as my oldest is in a similar boat.

Stewball01 · 12/02/2023 00:17

It's a great worry having a dc who's not popular or doesn't know how to relate. What does he do at home? Does he read?

1AngelicFruitCake · 12/02/2023 05:42

I would say it’s our job as parents to educate our children socially, let them make mistakes at home so they are better equipped with friends. For example when he’s a know it all at home ‘It’s great you know x but you need to let me have a go as you’re making me feel like giving up’ or ‘I love how you want to help me but you’ve got to let me make mistakes so I can learn’ etc. the focus is on how he’s making the other person feel. If you don’t tell him then he won’t realise!

My own daughter struggles with jealousy (like me!) so we try and find gentle opportunities at home to work on this.

Shuvs77 · 12/02/2023 08:00

He has impulse control issues and can’t verbalise his frustrations. The school were hand delivered a SEN pack, collated by the SEND Co at the nursery and with contributions from the Area SEND Co, containing all the information relating to coping mechanisms etc. they lost this before he started reception, failed to request another copy and so yes I can blame the school sadly😞They also lost hand written meeting notes made by their own SEN co, who was leaving and passing her full time work load to a new part time SEN co (cheaper). Meeting notes from a thrashing out session between me, deputy head of the nursery and the primary school SEN Co.. irreplaceable.

Walkingtheplank · 12/02/2023 19:51

I'm wondering what the dynamic is between the parents involved.

My DC were popular in class but one wasnt really invited to smaller parties. His friends all lived on the other side of the school from us and their parents were all friends, even holidaying together. When it came to parties, especially with sleepovers, there were few invitations for him, but I think that was because I wasnt in their gang.

Londonlassy · 12/02/2023 20:01

DontStopMeNow7 · 09/02/2023 21:28

This was me as a child. The worst thing you can do is try to figure out why he might not be popular. The best thing you can do is love him for who he truly is and encourage that, regardless as to whether it makes him popular or not. Put all your focus on that. Then the right friends will come eventually.

Thank you for this lovely post. I think lots of us mum’s need to hear this.

Bluebellsparklypant · 12/02/2023 23:04

I feel for your situation OP my DS 7 always seems to be on the outside of friend groups, he told me he was lonely and got very upset as he didn’t have anyone to play with at break times, I spoke with his teacher who was great she paired him up with a small group who he has been playing with. They play after school on the school grounds aswel which I don’t rush as I think it’s extra bonding time. A lot of parents are busy with jobs etc so really don't have the time for play dates, but have you got a local park maybe could you suggest to other mums to have half an hour after school/sat afternoon to burn off some energy there. Friends come and go family will always be there to love him

wentworthinmate · 13/02/2023 18:32

I was your child at 7. All I can say is that it does get better as they get older. Love to you both.

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