My child’s close friend is moving away, and the sadness comes in waves. One day they talk excitedly about video calls; the next they don't want to go to school because everything will feel different. I don't want to promise that online friendship will feel exactly the same, but I also want them to know the connection can continue. How have you helped a child grieve a friendship change without rushing them toward new friends as a replacement?
Helping a child adjust when a close friend moves away
- parenting
- helping
- child
- adjust
31
0 replies
The online part helps, but I wouldn’t oversell it. For my niece, having a date to send each other voice notes mattered more than saying “you...
The online part helps, but I wouldn’t oversell it. For my niece, having a date to send each other voice notes mattered more than saying “you can always call.” It gave the loss something concrete to lean on.
6 replies
We used to make them write a note or draw a picture if talking felt too hard. It gave the feeling time to settle, and the friendship wasn’t...
We used to make them write a note or draw a picture if talking felt too hard. It gave the feeling time to settle, and the friendship wasn’t treated like it had to be replaced immediately.
That’s nice. I think kids sometimes need a ritual for endings even when the friendship continues over calls.
We did a “keep in touch” box once with little notes, photos, and a printed schedule for video calls. It didn’t erase the sadness, but it mad...