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DS's friend's parent doesn't 'like' DS apparently. WWYD?

13 replies

OddFodd · 15/11/2013 22:13

Sorry, this is terribly long but I don't want to drip-feed.

Bit of background:

DS is 6 and in year 2 in MS school. He is still waiting for an official diagnosis but he has major sensory issues and either severe dyspraxia or ADHD (or both). Despite his SN, he's really popular at school and is achieving at average or above average levels in most topics.

He has been pretty close friends with 2 other boys - A and B - since the start of year 1 but because I worked FT last year (although don't anymore), he has had very limited playdates with them. He's been to A's house a few times and A has come here but he's only been out to play with B once. A recently moved away, meaning that DS and B have become even closer.

Now to the issue:

It was B's birthday recently and DS kept talking about how he'd been invited to B's party but no invitation was forthcoming. I kept telling him that he must have got the wrong end of the stick, that although it was B's birthday, not all children have parties etc, but DS was adamant. I humoured him until the day before the 'party' when another parent asked me if DS was going to B's party. It was really awkward because everyone knows that DS and B are such good friends.

Given that they are such good mates, and that my DS loses things all the time, after a lot of thought, I texted B's mum the following morning and said that DS was under the impression that B was having a party that day and was invited.

She didn't reply for hours and eventually said that it was a very small party with just family 'and a few close friends'. I thought that was a bit Hmm but thought that maybe the friendship was a bit one-sided which is why DS wasn't invited. The following week at school, B tells DS that he hadn't invited DS to his party 'because my mum doesn't like you'. DS was pretty unfazed by this and I just laughed it off (I just reiterated that it was a small family party).

Few weeks on and DS is badgering me to invite B over to play. So I've texted his mum and she's not replied. It's 2 days since I invited B and she might of course have changed her number but I suspect she just doesn't know what to say. I checked with the class teacher this morning to see if the friendship was actually one-sided but no, she told me that they are inseparable and the only issue is that they're a bit giggly together.

So I suppose B's mum really doesn't like DS. :( DS is kind and sweet-natured. He's a bit silly and can be a bit loud and hard to manage in busy situations but he's basically a nice kid.

WWYD if you were me? I can't decide if I should speak to her (it's quite difficult because she doesn't do many pick ups or drop offs, it's usually a relative) or just let this be a lesson to both me and DS that some people are pretty shitty when it comes to SN.

OP posts:
OddFodd · 15/11/2013 22:17

Sorry, should have said that she may not realise he has SN although he has a lot of interventions in class (a bumpy cushion, weighted lap toy and fiddle toys for carpet time; a separate desk during writing tasks to avoid distractions etc) so it's got to be fairly obvious to the other kids I'd have thought

OP posts:
PolterGoose · 15/11/2013 22:20

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

OddFodd · 15/11/2013 22:39

I think you're probably right, Polter. TBH, I don't really think I've got the stomach for confronting her, even politely. I almost welled up asking his CT this morning about any issues :(

It's just so sad that A has left. DS was also really good friends with another boy in reception and he left at the end of that year so I was so pleased that he'd found other friends! Arse.

Poor DS. I really hope he doesn't become isolated

OP posts:
OddFodd · 15/11/2013 22:41

And the looking thing is very true - we saw B's mum in the park the other week (on her own) and I thought she didn't recognise me but in retrospect I think she was just blanking me.

OP posts:
vjg13 · 16/11/2013 08:02

Does your son have any interests outside school, cubs etc where he can make some more friends to have round after school.

I would just accept that the boys will be friendly at school and leave it at that now. My younger daughter has a friend who we only allow to see at school and they do still get on well at school. (Reasons relating to parents' lifestyle)

theladyrainy · 16/11/2013 10:09

The other Mum doesn't sound particularly nice to have actually told her ds that she doesn't like another child. She may well not be aware of ds's SN, but regardless it's not a nice thing to do.

It's great that your ds is popular and has lots of friends in school. Smile He sounds like a lovely little chap.

OddFodd · 16/11/2013 10:44

He won't go to things like cubs unfortunately. Gets too anxious about doing activities. He find sequencing really difficult as well as his physical issues and is painfully aware he struggles to keep up Sad

I feel a bit awkward about it but I suppose I have to tell myself it's her problem, not mine.

Thanks all - really helpful Smile

OP posts:
greeneyes1978 · 17/11/2013 20:30

My son has the same difficulties as your son but is a couple of years older. He can be hard work but is a lovely boy. What I have found is that 'birds of a feather flock together' and he is spending most of his time with three boys in the year above who all have additional needs. I worry as they will be at secondary school from next year. He also changed schools at 6 years so missed a lot of bonding with the class.

Some of the things I do are: invite lots of different kids round after school / for days out even if it's not reciprocated. Ask him who else he likes, even if they at younger/older/a girl. My ds does do cubs and has settled in ok but hasn't taken to anyone particularly. What he does like is Helen O Grady drama because it is really fast moving and keeps him engaged. He is in after school a coupe of days so mixes with different children there.

He attended a day out in the summer for children with disabilities. He loved it because he could let his guard down. There is an ADHD group just started here so hopefully we can try that soon. I have had the same with one boy at his school, they get on really well but he is always 'busy' when I ask if he can come over. I don't know if this true but I doubt it...

It is really hard but I am also in contact now with a couple of people whose kids are similar to ds and that is good for all of us. Try seeing if there are groups in your area.

Jacksterbear · 17/11/2013 20:56

Hi OddFodd my DS is the same age as yours and has SPD & anxiety. Don't have any answers really but just wanted to say I know how you feel. DS pretty much never gets any play date or party invitations, and I often get vague, "oh sorry we're really busy atm, maybe another time" type responses to invitations I issue.

I dread to think what other parents will have heard about him, as he frequently has meltdowns in school, throws furniture, has to be carried from the classroom or the rest of the class has to be evacuated, has kicked out at his CT, etc. I can well imagine them telling their DC to stay away from him!

It's hard isn't it Sad.

OddFodd · 17/11/2013 21:08

Thanks so much greeneyes and Jackster - it's really helpful to hear your experiences. I'm really going to have to toughen up a bit - well, a lot.

I got a text from another mum this afternoon inviting DS over to play tomorrow after school which has made me feel a lot better. But I think casting our net wider is a really good idea greeneyes. I will see if I can persuade him to do some kind of after school activity but he's very reluctant.

OP posts:
greeneyes1978 · 17/11/2013 21:24

Good luck! I have found it difficult, especially as we moved so far away from where we lived before. I just find inviting a mix of kids home and encouraging activities helps. I am also very open about my son's additional needs, as is he, which means at least realise sometimes he can't control his impulsive behaviour!

Jacksterbear · 17/11/2013 21:29

Oh that's great OddFodd. Smile

Jacksterbear · 17/11/2013 21:33

Oh and ps IMO I would maybe leave the out-of-school activity idea for the moment if you think it'll cause him more stress and anxiety - my DS certainly couldn't cope with anything like that just now (and previous attempts have been disastrous).

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