DS is 8 and socially awkward. He wears glasses, is small for his age and doesn't play sports. I feel badly that he doesn't have more friends but in September my husband and I were delighted that he seemed to really bond with a new student in his third grade class. This friend is an adorable boy but he has Tourette's syndrome and had a hard time fitting in at first.
I am proud of the way my son accepts this friend and overlooks his tics. It seems the other kids in the class are also starting to realize that Tourette's is something he can't help and there's nothing weird about him. However, I worry that this friend might be becoming too popular and too "cool." A few weeks ago, my son was super embarrassed in front of the friend when his jeans sagged accidentally on the playground and some rude kids made fun of his underwear.
Ever since this happened, the friend has been acting like he would rather hang out with those rude kids than my son.
My son is now too shy to call him but maybe I should call the mother and arrange a playdate.
How worried do you get when your child's best friend seems to be leaving him for popularity? Don't get my wrong, I think it's terrific that the friend is being accepted. Still, it's hard as a parent to have to wonder why some kids become popular and some kids keep feeling left out, right? Does anyone have any advice?