Dear friends: I am having a problem with my 11 year old LD child. She is very behind socially and up until now there was another 11 year old girl on the block that was always her champion, and best friend. The other girl would stay for dinner often and have sleepovers all the time. However, lately, she has not been around at all. I have discussed this with her mom, and she seems to think nothing is wrong, that her daughter simply doesn’t want to play as much. I have noticed her playing with the other neighborhood girl who is 13, and realize that she is probablly matureing and wants to hang out with older girls. This has been difficult on my daughter, and she seems to think she has lost a best friend. I have attempted to invite her over for an outing, or something special with my daughter, but she has declined. My daughter is very sensitive and now has no one to play with, and I see it effecting her attitiude. Any suggestions. Thanks Paula
: At this age friendships can come and go and it is hard on children. It would be best if your daughter could have a greater “bank” of friends upon which to draw so that the possible loss of one friend is not so severely felt. This would be a time to consider having a conversation with your daughter about the nature of friendships. Some friends move away, others sadly find new friends.Could you talk to her teacher? As a teacher, I sometimes suggest to parents the names of children that I think might make good playmates. Perhaps your daughter’s teacher would do the same. Other ideas might be Girl Scouts or your local YMCA. Our local Y has a social program specifically for children with learning differences.Good luck.Dear friends: I am having a problem with my 11 year old LD child. She
: is very behind socially and up until now there was another 11 year
: old girl on the block that was always her champion, and best
: friend. The other girl would stay for dinner often and have
: sleepovers all the time. However, lately, she has not been around
: at all. I have discussed this with her mom, and she seems to think
: nothing is wrong, that her daughter simply doesn’t want to play as
: much. I have noticed her playing with the other neighborhood girl
: who is 13, and realize that she is probablly matureing and wants
: to hang out with older girls. This has been difficult on my
: daughter, and she seems to think she has lost a best friend. I
: have attempted to invite her over for an outing, or something
: special with my daughter, but she has declined. My daughter is
: very sensitive and now has no one to play with, and I see it
: effecting her attitiude. Any suggestions. Thanks Paula