DS7 has had friendship issues with another boy (let’s call him Sam) since Reception. Both boys are now in Yr2.
The issues have mostly been the same, but have varied by degree;
Sam is obsessed with my DS and won’t let him play with anyone else.
They always have to play Sam’s games and/or follow Sam’s rules. So that even if my DS likes a game they’re playing, Sam will change the rules when it’s DS’s turn, or if they play a game DS has though of, Sam keeps changing it until it is no longer the same game.
If DS tries to play with someone else (and/or involve Sam), Sam dramatically announces he will sit on his own, or he will say he will play a game that he’s not going to like, or he will cry.
DS is kindhearted and doesn’t want to be the reason someone cries.
More recently Sam has started hitting DS. Sam says it’s an accident, but DS says he can tell it’s not.
In Reception and Year 1 the teachers were aware and tried to help. This was complicated by my son sometimes saying it was ok and they were friends, and then at other times telling me it was not ok and could I speak to the teacher (which I did).
His Yr2 teacher is approachable, and we have spoken about this, but again it had all settled down, until now. DS cuddled up to me this morning and said he doesn’t want to be friends with Sam anymore. He can see their relationship is not the same as other friendships in his class, and it’s making him sad.
We have invited other classmates to come and play at our house during half term to help DS strengthen other friendships. But what other advice can I give him? He has come to me for help and I’m trying to give him the best advice I can. Thankfully I’ve got half term to think about it!