Going to see my friend’s son in the South of France – how do I make sure he remembers me?

[LolaChloe]

Hi everyone,
I’m going to visit a dear friend in the South of France, and I’m especially looking forward to seeing her son again. I knew him when he was very little, but now he’s 7! I’d love some ideas or tips on how to reconnect with a child who might not remember me well.
Anything I can bring as a gift, do, or say to make the meeting warm and memorable?
Would love to hear from anyone who’s done something similar

Framed photo of you two

Just spend time with him.

I would accept that he probably won't remember you, don't expect too much. Take a small age appropriate gift for him (ask his mum what he's into). Maybe tell him some stories about when he was little a few days in when he feels more comfortable around you.

I would ask her what he likes and more important what he dislikes to buy him a nice present.
If you have photos on your phone of you with him or just him from the last time show them to him.
He won’t remember you and it’s ok so don’t make too much fuss about it, be relaxed and go with a flow.

Spend time with him and play but follow his lead on what/how to play. You may spend an inordinate amount of time being "goalie" while he scores goals for instance but do what he is enjoying not necessarily what you enjoy.

Do you mean how you can make him remember you from last time he saw you? You can’t. He won’t remember. I’d take your focus off trying to expect a seven year old to remember one person from his toddler or baby years, and just focus on responding to the 7 year old you will actually be meeting. Ask his mother what he would appreciate as a present. Be interested in the person he is now.

yes i have photos with him. Thanks for this il print our photo.

How's about taking a glove puppet of an English animal? Fox, badger or squirrel? You can talk to him through the puppet and he might remember in the future that you gave it to him?

Thank you

Cold hard cash

Sorry maybe I misunderstood the op. I thought they meant how can I make sure he remembers them from now on, how to make this visit memorable. I’ve read it again and I’m not sure if I’m right or wrong. It’s already been a long week here so I may be wrong 😬

Don't try so hard. Just play with him when you are there. You can't make him remember you from earlier or force memories onto him with a photo. Don't overthink it.

😆

I'm not sure I understand... Why does he need to remember you? And you don't need to "reconnect"... He's only 7!

Bwahahaha
But also yes!

Honestly I think you need to see how he is. Some kids are chatty and will co opt any willing adult into their games. Some kids are shy and may hide away or be monosyllabic for a while. Don’t get offended if he’s like this, don’t try to push the relationship. Just be friendly, willing and non pushy.

Do you speak French?

Present wise - agree ask his mum, but outdoor toys are a good bet. Pindaloo or something like that maybe.

Don’t take a puppet - he’ll think you are insane!! Just assume you are starting from scratch, don’t overwhelm him, have low expectations and be friendly.

Just be relaxed and normal.

Not fair to try and orchestrate the child into something ‘memorable’.

Of course they probably won’t remember you.

Let the child lead.

Do not be offended or disappointed if he is shy or uninterested - to him you are Mums friend.

I think that from the comment about printing out photos of them together in the past, the OP wants the child to remember her from the past and recognise this is a ‘special’ reunion. I think this is unreasonable, she needs to be guided by what this child is like now, and be guided by that.

Take him a present that you can do together - lego, a jigsaw or maybe a book you can read him. Find out what he's into first though! Don't expect him to remember you and understand if he's not that interested in you! To you he's a special friends special child, to him you're probably just another random adult.

Yes i spoke to his mum already and told me what he wants