5 year old losing interest in things

[letloz]

My 5 year old DD has previously had best friends (7 and 9) in the neighbourhood, they've basically been inseparable the last year or so in any time they've had. But the last few weeks she's stopped wanting to hang out with them- she's realised that the big one likes to be the 'boss' and the 7 year old usually follows, and it's let to her getting upset and wanting to come in. Now she won't see the 9 year old at all (they've grown up together, as my DD used to be childminded by her mum) and is slightly avoiding the 7 year old and not wanting to play with her either.

She has also stopped wanting to go Rainbows (possibly cos thr 7 Yr old goes there) but also wants to stop gymnastics, where neither of them go. She did say 'why do you make me do so much stuff mum?" (She also does swimming on thr weekend, and has after school club 3 nights a week cos of my work), so part of me is wondering whether she's just exhausted cos the work is getting harder in year 1? (She managed all of these in reception). But she also said 'I just don't like anything any more' , which slightly broke my heart. Outside of this, when she is at home, she seems her normal happy energetic self. Should I just go with the flow (her choices) and ride it out? How much should I be encouraging her to keep seeing her friends/go to the hobbies? (We've paid till Christmas at least!)
I should also mention she's got a lot more clingy, getting upset when leaving me or dad (or when we leave the house) and coming into our bed every night (previously she was sleeping through) .

She's overprogrammed by the sound of it?

In our house we said they had to do one club and the rest was free time. Obviously they also had to learn to swim.

They need space to play, mess about, relax, find their own interests. School is enough social life for many kids. Too much for some!

She did say 'why do you make me do so much stuff mum?" This is a good question!

So I'd tell her she needs to pick one thing, and she can drop the rest. Good sign that she's able to spot friendships that make her feel bad.

We've paid till Christmas at least! Oh, and I wouldn't focus on this. The money has gone anyway. Focus on what will make your child happiest long term - learning to listen to themselves is a really valuable thing.

Many children lose their self-awareness because parents override it by talking them into doing things for extrinsic reasons.

Read up on intrinsic motivation, it's the most powerful thing you can give a child in terms of success in life.

When does she get down time at home for free play? It’s really important at this age.

Thanks- I think you're right. I mentioned we've paid till Christmas so it'll give her a few weeks to dip back in/change her mind if she wants, as she did previously really enjoy these activities. But I won't push her to do so.