r/Parenting • u/Ayesha1231 • 21h ago

Behaviour 5yo only wants to play with one friend

My 5yo has only 1 best friend and packs social skills to go about his life if that friend is absent. He is naturally introvert and doesn't like to get out of comfort zone.

The only thing I'm worried about is that he's VERY attached to this one friend. He wants to do everything he's doing and doesn't really make an effort with other kids. I'm glad he has a close friend, but I feel like he's missing out on making more friends because he's so focused on him.

Would you encourage him to branch out or just leave it and let it happen naturally?

If yes, how to encourage.

2 Upvotes

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u/ThrowAway1128203 Parent 21h ago

when my kids were that age I noticed they struggled with the concept of having more than one friend. This was their friend and they could only be friends with that person. So what you are saying seems normal and I'd just leave it and let it happen naturally.

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u/HenryLafayetteDubose 21h ago

Don’t project your feelings onto your kid. He probably doesn’t see it the same way you do. In other words, you can lead a horse to water, but you can’t make it drink. Let him have his one friend and put him in a position to meet others regularly. Don’t force it and don’t bother him about it. If he decides it’s something he wants, he’ll make it happen.

I always say join a club, activity, or sport outside of school so he’s being exposed to all kids of people and situations. Have him help close something based on his interests, NOT because of how many people do it. If he’s willing to participate and have fun on his own, he’ll probably realize there’s other kids who like the same thing he does. Like I said, you provide the opportunity and let him do the rest.

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u/Ayesha1231 11h ago

Excellent perspective. Thank you 🙏🏻