Myself

[Jerlove]

Hi, my son has ADHD and I feel he isnt making friends. The kids we live by are not to interested in playing together n neither is he

[EJsMom]

My son was the same way when he was in elementary school. He had one or two friends but would have disputes with them and not hang out for weeks.

Ultimately his one good friend told my son he no longer wanted to be his friend and never call him again. That happed in 6th grade and my son was devastated. He didn’t seek out other friends until 8th grade and has found a few good ones. (He’ll be in 9th this fall)

It’s been hard to watch my son struggle with friendships. It’s lonely for him at times. Overall I think the whole experience helped my son grow as a person and become a better friend.

He had always been very demanding as a friend, had to play his games and do things his way, when the one kid decided not to hang with him anymore, I helped my son understand that you have to give and receive to be friends.

It took a long time. He had no friends at school from K-7th grade. That one only friend was a neighbor who went to a different school. I have no magic words but don’t give up. Your son will find someone he ‘clicks’ with at some point.

[Yara1969 in reply to EJsMom]

My son is 7 years old and he has the same exact issue he is bossy and everyone has to follow his rules he only has one friend.I am very worried about him . I am trying to explain the friendship concept but I think he doesn’t get it . He continues to be impulsive and overbearing

[Pennywink in reply to EJsMom]

We’ve also had issues with my 6 year old. He can have a vey inflexible playstyle, and he’s rather play on his own than play with people not doing what he wants to do. We’ve been talking to him about it off & on since preschool- that sometimes we should do what our friends want to do. He’s been going along with it - though not exactly happily.

That being said, he did finally have a best friend all year in Kindergarten (who is actually a pretty passive kid.) He tells me he has lots of friends, and his teacher reports he is doing well socially. I still worry for the future, but at least for now we seem OK. Now that his little sister is old enough to play with, we’ve been able to get some good socializing with kids in at home too.

[Jaset]

My son is 12, he doesn't have "his own" friends at school or at home, only my friends kids, but he miss playing with them once a week probably, not like other kids that like to play with others every day after school. I bring him to the park to play even if he say he doesn't want, beacuse I know he will find someone to play, exercise and use his energy. Wasn't that easy when he was younger, he didn't how to approach to the kids, so I always try to bring a ball, frisbee, bike or something so someone maybe be interested to play with him, but now little by little he is doing better, always keep an eye on him, so if he start getting frustrated I can redirect him to do something else. Sooner or later our kids will find a good friend or friends, I didn't have my own real friends until I was in 7th or 8th grade.