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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

AIBU to worry my ten-year-old seems lonely during the summer?

26 replies

Widoeeyes · 03/07/2026 16:55

We have a ten year old son. No family nearby except elderly mother in law. All siblings live in other locations, and have kids that are a lot older than our son.

when I was young I had lots of other kids: cousins; siblings, neighbours, to spend the summer with: spending time at home or with parents just didn’t happen.

We live right on a busy road. With no other kids his age in the immediate area. So, going out to play casually with other kids isn’t going to happen.

we’ve signed him up for a few classes, planned some day trips and also trying to arrange a few play dates , but the poor boy just seems so lonely when he doesn’t have anything on. As for playdates it’s always me making the effort with other parents to invite their kids over or take them on a trip, no one invites our son.

does anyone else have kids in the same situation? What would you do?

OP posts:
Widoeeyes · 09/07/2026 18:19

Moreholidaysthanjudithchalmers · 03/07/2026 19:06

Is the girl he currently walks to school with an option.
Another is a pgl type holiday but that’s expensive.
Have you tried asking on any of the chat groups for the activities he does eg cubs chat f anyone free for a play date.

hi; thanks so much. I’ve tried all of these:
sometimes others will come on a play date, and other times no one will come. i feel a bit sad that it’s always him initiating any meet up. We were out today with friends from when he was a toddler, they all have their own friends now (still get on well when they meet up).
but this evening he just looks really fed up as he’s on his own; and none of his friends can come over. What’s worse is that I’ve seen some of them together on instagram (he doesn’t know that)

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