Have name changed for this as it's a delicate subject
DD came back from friends yesterday, apparently the mum had been stressed and upset. DD's friend told DD that dad's business has just gone under and the family are really worried about 'everything' - the house, bills etc. DD told me all this quite matter of factly (girls are both 12 so have some awareness of current financial situation - DD knows that atm a lot of people are losing jobs, unable to sell houses etc). She wasn't overly upset, but obviously concerned about her friend.
Thing is, as a family we are reasonably friendly with the parents and bump into them around the village at least a couple of times a week. I don't know when all this happened but they certainly haven't shown any sign of any stress when we've seen them, so it could be that they're putting a brave face on and don't want people to know. I don't know whether DD's friend was telling DD something she shouldnt or not. I've probed a little bit with DD and it all sounds genuine - she talked about the bank having called in loans etc - the kind of stuff a 12 year old wouldnt make up.
How should I react towards the parents? DD's friend is coming here on Tuesday after school, so we'll see her mum or dad at some point on Tuesday evening when they collect her. Do I bring up the subject or not? Sorry I know that sounds clueless but I honestly don't know. It almost feels like a taboo subject, but on the other hand, I know sometimes when something bad has happened, people really wish others would talk about it and not treat it as a no go area. Anyone had any experience from either side of the fence? DD has been talking about it again this morning, and asking questions like 'Do you think they'll have to sell their house? Will they move away?' etc. It feels wrong to be talking to DD about it when I know I'll see the parents soon and they don't know that I know.