WHAT TO DO IF YOU THINK YOUR CHILD IS LONELY

No mother wants her children to feel isolated, but there are plenty of ways to integrate them and boost their confidence

A mum’s happiness is A inextricably linked to her children’s happiness, and when things aren’t going too well for them, it can be devastating to witness. I haven’t met a single parent in my 14 years of being a mother who didn’t want their child to be popular, and when you realise your child is struggling to connect with their peers, it can feel utterly bleak – because who wants a lonely child?

The first thing to assess is whether your son or daughter is actually affected by their apparent lack of friends. Many children simply like their own company and are selective about the people they spend time with, so make sure it’s an issue before you start inviting every member of their class over for a play date.

If you do identify that your child is feeling upset because they haven’t managed to make friends, don’t despair. There are plenty of activities your child can attend where they could find friends who share similar interests. Learning something new will also give them confidence, which will impact on the way they act at school, too.

If you think that the situation is getting out of hand, involve the school. Having a quiet word with a teacher can make a massive difference, as they can identify groups of accepting kids and strategically place your child with them, or give them a special role so they will feel important and grow in confidence.

The main thing to remember is as long as your child is loved and valued at home, in time they will find like-minded friends. Until then, they’ll know they have a great mum and dad who are totally on their side.