Trying to End a Friendship Between 8 Year Olds?

I've had the same issue with my daughter (she just turned 10). I've tried keeping her busy with other friends and things to do, but I also had a discussion about her "choosing" the right friends. Someone that has the same "values" etc that we have so that she doesn't take a chance of turning off the path so to speak. I know it's hard for them at this age to understand, but I found that with a "little" (and i mean little) push, she started going towards other friends. I hope this helps and good luck!

In regards to the carpooling - simply say "thank you for the opportunity to carpool this year, next year we will not be carpooling with you." What's the big deal? Just say what you feel and if she is offended, then that's on her, not you.

As for the friendship, the child is not responsible for her parents behavior. If she behaves in your home and gets along with your daughter then I don't see a problem with the friendship. If you just don't want her in your home based on her parents being naive or based on her rude behavior towards you or your child, then just tell the mother "I prefer that your daughter does not call or come over to our home."

Keep it simple and speak your mind.
C.

You're already doing the right things to direct her toward other friends. When the neighbor girl calls or comes over, gently tell her that your daughter has other plans and is unavailable (even if that means your daughter is doing nothing more than watching TV alone -- she's unavailable). If there's a time that you just can't avoid the neighbor girl, insist the girls play at your house where you can monitor the events. With enough interaction with other girls, your daughter will eventually lose interest in the new neighbor girl. As for the carpool issue, just simply tell the mother that this year's arrangments are not going to work for your family for the upcoming school year and that she will need to make other arrangements for her daughter's carpool. Keep doing what you're doing. You're doing a great job!

I have an 8 year old daughter. My best friends daughter is not the best influential friend I would like her to have. But my daughter is very strong willed and I know eventually she won't want to be friends with her. My thoughts is I try to influence my daughter to make the right decisions about her friends, without me putting stops on it. Sounds like your doing the right things getting her involved with other girls. But there is always gonna be that one friend that we wouldn't approve of! Just keep doing what your doing, parent!! It will happen eventually. On the car pool thing, no clue, im sure you can come up with some excuse. Busy schedule after school next year...make up stuff you have to do or activities for her? Good Luck Everything works out in the end!!

T., I too have had the unfoturnate situation that you are currently dealing with , and it is neither a comfortable nor pleasnt ordeal. I have an 11 year old and a 15 year old so I have a tiny bit of experience as well as information in regards to this problem. The way I see it is you should trust your instincts when it comes to your children. If you are uncomfortable or concerned about her parents, do not allow your daughter to be subjected to an enviroment such as this because it will put her in a possible decision making position that she cannot successfully handle. To this day if my kids want to visit or stay over at a friends home that I am unfamiliar with I still spend time at the home with the parents to see what my instincts tell me. If I am unsure or uncomfortable about anything they DO NOT stay. On another note, you may want to get to know the child. You may discover that you and your family could provide a new aspect of life to a young child that could create a wonderful adult one day. I have also found that young children and teenagers truly appreciate an adult that shows some interest and genuine guidence for their younger generation. Good luck and I really hope you keep me up to date. N.