Hi any tips for helping 9 year old juggle friendships/ social behaviour? Resources or things that worked? He veers from struggling to fit into a bigger group and getting excluded, vs being overexcited/ really needy and putting new friends off. Things like ignoring all other kids and standing 2m away waiting for new friend .
he’s sociable and confident but is starting to lose his confidence and joy. Heartbreaking to watch.
he can be quite emotional and deep, it doesn’t help that he won’t join in some stuff like football as doesn’t like it. He had a best friend for a few years but got ditched / grew apart.
school has been rubbish just says he’s well liked and gets on with everyone ( awesome!) but he doesn’t really have any close friends ( no play dates until I organise, which I do about 1 x month but it’s getting obvious he’s being excluded, not been asked for one for about a year maybe longer). Tried lots outside school but team sports feel a big fail ( he’s not liked it/ persevered) and it’s still adult led lessons rather than opportunities to get to know each other. Trying to find something else. Cubs was going well til a school mate started and he dropped his other friends . He’s still going tho. Help!