Help with 6 year olds choice of best friend!

[Pernod]

I don't want to sound a 'snob' , but my dd who's 6 seems to have bonded very closely with quite an aggressive, loud & naughty girl in her class. I can always tell when she has spent alot of time with her as when she comes home she is very sulky and rough with her sisters, I'm not suggesting for any minute that she's an angel as with all 6 year olds she has her moments but I would like her to spend less time with this girl.

Any suggestions???

Unfortunately you have to let them get on with it I think! You just need to reinforce with your DD what behaviour is acceptable and why the friend's behaviour isn't. And you have to do it in such a way that your DD doesn't say to her friend "My mummy thinks your behaviour is appalling!"

I cant say i am too keen on my ds best friend as he is a spoilt little brat, but it is none of mybusiness as long as my son has a friend I cant really do much. i know the picking up behaviour is waful but you just have to do your mothjer bit and explain its wrong

I don't think you can effectively stop this relationship but can you promote any other friendships with children you like better? Can your dd for instance go swimming with a different friend, have her spend the night etc.? That's how I would tackle it anyway.

My DS has a few "choice" friendships, He's 7. I have found that if you give them boundaries to what is acceptable they will soon make their mind up who is a good friend to have. I agree with SSSandy, encourage a bit of diversity in her friendships this may lead her away from any unwanted friends by her own choice. I dont think its so good to have just one close friend at that age anyway, they fall in and out of friendship @ the drop of a hat, Other activities etc will encourage her to meet other children with similar interests. Good luck tho, you didnt sound one bit snobby BTW just a caring mum

Thanks every-one, I guess you can't dictate everything to your little ones but offering them clear friendship boundaries as to what's acceptable sounds a very good idea as does encouraging other friendships.

xx