Nobody wants to sit with DD

[Anonymous]

I agree with getting the counselor involved. A lunchtime group would help, but that is usually a one-time or infrequent thing. Really, if the situation is serious then the counselor really should be doing some work with the kids in her grade to be more inclusive, etc. NOT directly related to your dd, but rather using her teaching times to give them strategies for inclusion and maybe working with lunch aids to set some rules around seating, using a buddy bench, and that kind of thing. 5th and 6th grade girls can be so mean and it would be helpful for EVERYONE if there were more focus on teaching them some social skills.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Have you considered changing school? She sounds like a great kid who just needs to find her tribe of sweet, quirky kids. That is really hard to do in a small school.

I disagree with this advice. Nobody is being mean to her. Nobody is picking on her. If she's been with the same kids since kinder and is in 5th now, presumably she'll switch to middle school next year and be around a new crop of kids then. She can certainly stick it out until next fall. Changing schools should only be for very extreme situations.

OP, I suggest you tell her to keep working on herself and meanwhile make sure she's in after-school activities with other kids. Religious school, dance, basketball, soccer, art, whatever.

Another kid asking her to move so they can sit next to their friend is definitely mean.

Plus 1

[Anonymous]

I feel your pain. My DD has been in that situation on and off for a long time. My advice: talk to the school counselor about it (usually there are other kids in the same situation and she can help them all), look for activities outside the school where she can make new friends and improve her self-esteem. I am sorry to say, but it will not change a lot in 6th and 7th grades unless she goes to a different school.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I feel your pain. My DD has been in that situation on and off for a long time. My advice: talk to the school counselor about it (usually there are other kids in the same situation and she can help them all), look for activities outside the school where she can make new friends and improve her self-esteem. I am sorry to say, but it will not change a lot in 6th and 7th grades unless she goes to a different school.

One more thing: I agree with the person who said: "I suggest you tell her to keep working on herself..." My DD became an outstanding student in middle school. Her teachers love her kindness and really appreciate her hard work. She is very popular with them!