Hello!

Our 8yo daughter is a sweet kid, chatty and friendly. However she doesn’t seem to have formed any close friendships at school. Other girls seem to have a ‘bestie’, or a group of close friends but our daughter doesn’t. How can we encourage forming bonds with other children? I feel a bit guilty as I can be quite shy, and find it difficult to ‘put myself out there’ with the other school Mums, I don’t know if maybe I have contributed to her lack of social circle.


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  • School holidays invite the friend and parents over ,make play dates,swimming dates,movies


  • It’s not quantity that matters its the quality. I think it’s a good thing to not get too attached to just one or two people. It’s always tough if you have one best friend and they’re away from school for some time, you’re absolutely lost. Not good


  • Just realised I had answered this question. Hope all worked out for you and your child.


  • I would suggest play dates and perhaps there might be school sporting groups that your daughter could join.


  • I am the same as you, but I had to make an effort to go to the Christmas drinks and the parties. Offer to go to play dates, parks, lunch, cinema with other mums and kids. It’s hard but your daughter may also just be shy like you!


  • Maybe ask her if she would like to invite a friend or 2 over for a play-date, or ask her if she would like to invite some friends over for dinner or something… She could be just a shy little girl, and it will probably happen more as she gets into her teens…


  • It is good reading the comments and interest to this!


  • I always tell my kids “Have lots of friends, not just one or 2, then you won’t be lonely if your besties are away. If it’s not bothering your daughter, don’t let it bother you. You could always encourage play dates or sleepovers to encourage friends


  • Arrange some play dates or other get togethers, have a party for Easter or some other theme.


  • I asked a similar question as we have a child with disabilities and friends suggested that I invite kids over with their parents for like a high tea and then it helps the children bond etc. It sounds like a great idea for us it would be playing with lego as I have a boy although my son would like to eat too LOL


  • she may have more friends than you know, talk to her teacher and see what she says


  • Ask her if she wants to arrange a play date with any of her friends. One on one instead of group might help her.


  • Invite some school friends over to your house. Best time is school holidays when everyone is trying to find time to do things without their kids! They rotate from one persons house to the next and you only end up having them there one day a week. It’s great for the kids and the adults!


  • maybe ask her who her friends are and then bring then around more


  • Try and encourage her to join a club or team either within the school or as an extra carricular activity, it can be difficult to find friends in a new school, a common bond can help, swimming, dance, sport, music


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