DS upset about loss of best friend

[MrsSnape]

DS only has one friend at school and this boy is leaving in two weeks.

DS is VERY down and depressed about it all, he's put messages in the "feelings" box at school and today told everyone to leave him alone as he was "in low spirits".

He keeps looking like he's going to cry and has asked me to move him to another school.

Is there anything I can do to help him? he has outside activities but he's still lonely at school

The school are a bit useless with stuff like this.

Poor DS. How old is he?

He's 9

aww poor lad. Is his friend moving far away? will it be possible for them to visit each other in school holidays and email/ring?
I think I would maybe tell him bout a time when you experienced a friend moving away and how sad you were but that you kept in touch and also made new friends? is there anyone at school that he likes but hasn't really got to know that you could invite for tea?

Agree with SB - encourage them to keep in touch via e-mail or a social networking site, if you and the other boy's parents feel OK about the boys using them. The Easter hols are a natural break but perhaps you could arrange some social events for him in the summer term to get to know some of the other kids in his class better. I do feel for him - I never had more than one friend at a time at junior school and would have been heartbroken if this had happened.

My DD1 is eight. Her BF - a boy - left school in May to move away with his family. She was really upset as they had been firm friends from age four and she had bad dreams etc when he first went away.

I don't know how far away your son's BF is going, but we made an effort to go and visit after a couple of months so that Dd1 could picture her friend in his new home/school. She also has his number and rings him when she is pining for him.

Our DD1 still misses her BF, but she has made good friends (and a new BF) despite our worries that she wouldn't. Also, don't forget that new boys might move into your son's year soon and give him new opportunities.

I second SB's idea about talking about maintaining friendships. Be positive - agree with him that this is a sad thing to happen but also talk about friends/relatives who live away from you and with whom you still have great relationships.

BTW, my sister's BF moved away from her school when my sister was eight. They are still in touch and they are both 48 now.

I hope it goes well for your DS. It is a worrying time for all concerned.