parents of only children how do you ensure that they don't get fed up and lonely

[stressedouttoday]

Hiya
I have an only ds who has just turned 7.
Unfortunately he doesn't have any contact with other children outside of school and all of his cousins are grown up.

I do worry about him although he does seem happy enough playing on the computer and with his games table etc.

He never seems interested in going anywhere where he can mix with other children but he loves his school friends and would soon jump at the chance to mix with them out of school and I have arranged playdates after school for him.

What should I be doing with him should I leave him to his own divices to entertain himself and stop worrying about him.

I do get stressed out by the fact that other children always seem to have others to go places with and play with.

Friends with children the same age - I have made these friends primarily via MN meets or since she started school. Although it was very alien for me, as quite shy on the whole, I had to go out of my way to make friends.

DD has friends over to play during the week after school - at least 1-2 most weeks, and she does do swimming lessons too. At weekends/holidays we always try to find some time to meet up with someone with children - even if a different age.

Over Christmas DD did go a few days without child company and we noticed a difference in her. Normally when alone she will play happily by herself for good lengths of times, but after a few days she wa smuch more needy and wanting attention, and was actively asking to see friends.