best friends

[mygirlsmum]

hi everyone can any of you give me any advice because im a little concerned about my dd she doesnt seem to have a special/best friend at school and when i asked her teacher at parents evening if she has friends she says she does but not one particular friend she always plays with she seems happier on the scooters with the boys than in the playhouse with the girls, in your experiance at what age do little girls normally get together with a best friend or group of friends im just worried every one else in her class will pair off and she will be left on her own am i over reacting or is this normal in reception class does the best friend thing happen later she doesnt mention anything to me about not having friends and seems happy to go to school every day maybe its just me thats bothered

I think it is not only normal it is to be encouraged for as long as possible!

Girls and their 'best' friends...sigh...

My dd is 5yrs and you have just described her to a tee.

I was a bit concerned, asked the teacher etc, but honestly she is happy it seems.

The teacher suggested a couple of names we might consider inviting for tea, but dd says she is happy as she is and well, if she is, so am I. She plays more generally with everyone and prefers spending her time with her family atm.

I think it's probably nothing to worry about. My first dd became horribly stifled at this age in a friendship that became problematic in that she couldn't move for the other friend. Having seen that occur, I am inclined not to to let this worry me too much with younger dd.

Things may change as she settles at school. I think maybe some people just like to weigh things up for a while before choosing a close friend or wait until someone they really really click with comes along. (I am rather like this too).

I don't think that children tend to have proper 'best' friends until they are about 10 or 11.

I have always told my children to have lots of different friends.
What happens if their best friend moves away.
When i was young I always preferred the company of boys,I didnt want to discuss barbie and pop groups.
My dd has lots of friends at school mainly girls.

If you are concerned about the friend thing in general make sure that the school tells you if she spends alot of time alone.

One of the best ways to encourage friendships at school is to invite friends over for tea.

Your DD sounds just like mine, she is 6 btw and I have been worrying just like you

we moved house, so dd (5) has a "best friend/ husband to be" 300 miles away, we moved 18 months ago and their loyalty to each other is amazing, though it is sad how much they miss each other, now dd has no particular best friend, but having read the other replies here, it doesn't bother me.

she obviously likes boys for friends too, because she is good friends with our neighbours wee boy, who is at the same school as her.

Sounds like me at school umpteen years ago!

I never really did the best friends thing, I was always part of a group of about 3 or 4, and I always got on with boys better. I still have the same group of friends now, although I do have a 'best' friend I met at Uni.

Long may it last for your ds, we see too many upsets at school between so called best friends - it leads to so many problems. I would only be bothered if she seems lonely or upset by it.

thank you all for your comments its really put my mind at rest and like you say if shes happy (which she is) i dont need to worry maybe she doesn`t want to be with the same friend every day, maybe its a good thing she is confident enough not to need or rely on a best friend thank you all again, i can stop asking her who shes played with every day now i feel like ive been worrying for nothing

Unfortunately worrying is neverending.

It means you care about your child