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Child mental health

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How to help DD after bsf moved away

3 replies

Lunera · 09/10/2024 23:23

Hello,

My DD (10) made a friend last year online through a mutual irl friend (we lived in the same city). They met up and got along really well, they had her stay round their house, met up on weekends, been round each others houses. This went on for over a year until they relocated in September, DD was okay with this, obviously sad but knew we would go visit in May and they have said they will visit where we live to see friends too.

Myself and DD are very close and I noticed she’s been emotional, so asked what was wrong. She’s told me she misses him and has seen that he’s made a lot of new friends at his new school and although she’s happy for him, she’s scared she’s being replaced. He’s been very good at keeping in touch with her, they did a virtual sleepover at the weekend and had fun. I think she just really misses him and seeing him out with his new friends reminds her of how they used to be (he’s sent her pictures of him with his new friends).

She’s been feeling guilty for feeling this way but I’ve told her it’s natural, told her to look at the positives, that they have a special friendship and when they see each other it will be extra special with loads to catch up on.

Has anyone had experience of this or any advice on how to make her feel better? Has anyone’s children been through this and stayed friends?

OP posts:
MissRoseDurward · 10/10/2024 00:33

Keep her busy with seeing other friends and with activities so she'll have other things to think about and other friends if this one does fade out.

Don't push the idea that 'they have a special friendship'. That'll just make things worse if the boy does grow away from her as he gets on with his new life.

10 yo is quite young to maintain a long distance friendship.

Lunera · 10/10/2024 07:49

Ah that’s a point. They have a couple of hobbies they do online (gaming and editing) which I think the boy is growing out of, so getting her into something different might be a good option. It could serve as a reminder if he does move on.

Thank you for your advice.

OP posts:
BIWI · 30/10/2024 11:22

She's 10 and was meeting people online? What were you thinking?!

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