This little girl will not leave my daughter alone. They are friends. They have been for a couple years. She is an only child and expects my child to play with her all the time every recess and every day. My daughter is finally getting tired of it. We have talked to her mom and told her/mom that she wants space and that she wants to play with other friends..... so the girl says she understands but at school it is just not that way. She always asks my daughter why they all can't play together. Or she insists that she only plays with her. My daughter has stood up too her or has moved on to other things and she follows her. We have all gotten together and talked this out how it is not healthy for my daughter to consistanly play the same things every day and with the same person, we think they understand but when at school, my daughter fights to get away when she wants too. HELP !
I would encourage your daughter to bring other friends into the activities so it's not just the two of them. But I would mostly stay out of this and let your daughter work through it. At 5th grade, they need to figure out friendships and relationships on their own.
I agree, the girl sounds lonely. Annoying yes, but still. Her mom can't do anything about it when she's at school.
This really is a school issue, one that should be brought to the attention of the teacher. Perhaps the teacher can help the girl find new friends, put her in groups with other children. Your daughter can still be her friend and introduce her to other children so they can all play together. Her mom can create playdates for her daughter with other kids or put her in after school activities to help her daughter branch out.
It's hard and confusing for a child to be best friends with another, then she doesn't want you around anymore.
Hi!
Since you have talked to both the mom and the daughter, I would now talk to the teacher and/or counselor as well. I agree with you that this isn't healthly for the other girl and that your daughter does need some space. I hope that everything will work out!
I.
Hi. My daughter has a friend who probally feels this way. The girl insisted my child sit with her on Monday, then refused to sit with her the next day saying "I must sit with others now." THen she played with her at recess, but announced she could not play again for three weeks. It confuses my child and it would be nicer if the girl just said she didn't ever want to play, sit together, or whatever. When my daughter finds someone to play with and the girl sees her, she runs over to include her. When my child is all alone, the girl won't let her play. Adults notice it too.
And why can't they all play together? I do think it is great you talked to the M.. Iw ould LOVE it if the other M. talked to me so I could share about mixed messages. The M. does it to me too. If I talk to her first, she is "so busy: but if I casually say hello and walk by, she follows me. Every time.
I wonder if the teacher (or playground monitor) might be able
to help redirect the lonely child to other people and groups.
I do hear where you are coming from, but please at the same time... try not to hurt the other childs feelings. She sounds lonely :(
This sounds like something that the girls should (and will) be able to sort out on their own. Your daughter is obviously old enough to know who she wants/doesn't want to spend time with and, as long as she's kind but firm, it's only a matter of time before this girl moves onto someone else. I honestly don't see why it's necessary to intervene at this point other than giving your daughter some good advice.
