DD being left out of friendship group

[Whattodoomg]

Posting here for traffic :(

DD has started yr 8 and her usual group of friends are leaving her out of group chats/ events. They make it obvious to her that she is just tagging along and walk don’t wait for her after class etc

Nothing horribly bad but enough to make her feel unwanted and excluded and hate school ( I know it’s only been a week but it was happening during 6 week hols too)

I am encouraging her to make new friends but she says everyone has their brown groups and she feels weird just trying to tag along.

I’ve also told her that she needs to make more of an effort with kids in her drama group.

I am just looking for advice please. It’s so hard seeing her like this.

It's rubbish. But part of growing up. Friendships change and evolve. She needs to find new friends with similar interests. Encourage her to join clubs that she is interested in

Yr 8 and Yr 9 are renowned for being awful for female friendship groups

Are there any clubs she can join after school or at lunch ?

It's a good idea to join a few after school and weekend clubs too to broaden her circle of friends that aren't school related

She'll need to attach herself at lunch to some other friendship groups where she knows someone from one of her classes or tutor group. It can be an easy switch or might take time but it can be done.

It's hard really hard especially when they're in tears at night at home

If it's truly unbearable by the end of the year maybe consider moving school but give it a try. Cite bullying as a reason to change school

These are not her people, if they were they wouldn't feel this way about waiting for her. Is there anyone from a different friendship group that she gets on well with in another lesson etc, that she could confide in that she is struggling with her group? If there someone she has a good connection with and they knew this I am sure they would take her under their wings.

Year 7 friendship groups do reorganise in Year 8. I'd agree to keep encouraging her to find other friends (even if it just starts with sitting with a different group at lunch). The friends may come back; they may not. But DD shouldn't sit around and wait for them.

Year 8 is SUCH a hard year, it's really harsh and horrible especially with girls. I found with my DD it took until mid way through Y9 for it to fully settle and there's still plenty of drama now tbh. Hope your DD is okay it's really hard