Growing Pains....

[Janet]

I hate for our kids to have to go through this emotional pain. I see it all the time on the bus. I would keep telling her how great she is, keep feeding her self-esteem find something she excells in,...sports, gymnastics, music...etc. and have her branch out into some new friendships. Truth is, not all friendships last a life time and I'm sorry she has (as it sounds) mostly invested in only this friend. My son (I know they are different from daughters), wears his heart on his sleeve too. He's always had his best friend, but I would only let him come and spend the night, if he would ask another friend in-between. Now he has many friendships. Now at 15 years old, there's not so much spending nights at each others homes, but they do get together for other things.

[Mandy]

Encourage her to make more friends, tell her not to put all her "eggs in one basket" ... remind her how beautiful she is and what a nice daughter you have, she can have plenty of other friends!

I have been there with my son, so i know how you feel, last year was terrible for him, i even had to take him for counselling, because he just didnt see "the light" anymore. It's heartbreaking for parent to watch their child hurting, and getting bullied. Thank goodness he is passed that stage, he can now stand up for himself, he has grown so much this past year that he now belongs to the taller kids in he's class, while last year he was one of the shortest, this has boosted he's selfesteem tremendously. (specially for a boy)

Hang in there Kim, don't let her change schools, because that's not going to solve the problem.
Let her rather join a club or something that she likes. Invite some boys and girls over to your house for a party or a get together, let her meet other kids, including kids from her current class, tell her to get to know them better.

Best of luck, and keep us posted

[Kimberley]

Thanks for the encouragement guys! Believe me, I've tried to tell her she needs more than one close friends. One thing she's told me is that (the past few days), when she sits next to someone new at lunch to try to make another friend, Hunter will come over and sit also (next to the potential friend). Next thing you know, that potential friend won't speak to my daughter.

They are all in the 6th grade and 11-12 years old. I'm just heart sick over this.

[Mandy]

Originally Posted by Kimberley

Thanks for the encouragement guys! Believe me, I've tried to tell her she needs more than one close friends. One thing she's told me is that (the past few days), when she sits next to someone new at lunch to try to make another friend, Hunter will come over and sit also (next to the potential friend). Next thing you know, that potential friend won't speak to my daughter.

They are all in the 6th grade and 11-12 years old. I'm just heart sick over this.

Ahhhhh ok, so they are talking behind her back, that's aweful!!
Honestly i feel for you and your daughter! I just told my son about your daughters situation, and asked him what he would do if he was in her shoes, and he's answer was "change schools"

Obviously there's some sort of jealousy issue involved, and kids can be awefully cruel. School is supose to be fun, and a child should love to go to school.

Kim, have you spoken to the teachers and head masters at your daughters school?
What does she want to do if she could chose?

[Kimberley]

Originally Posted by Mandy

Kim, have you spoken to the teachers and head masters at your daughters school?
What does she want to do if she could chose?

No, I haven't spoken to teachers and such. They generally don't get involved unless there is a risk of physical fights.

I asked her last night...she doesn't want to switch schools.