Mine had one close friend but now she seems to be hanging out with a group of girls. I don't know if you'd call them close, but she seems comfortable and happy, so I'm staying out of it.

She did not in 5th. For us it did not really matter, as she made many new friends, and closer friends, in middle school.

My 6th grade dd has the same group of 6-7 friends that have been pretty close since third grade. There are a couple of them that she is closer to than others, but they all get along great with each other. They're not the 'cool kids' so I wouldn't consider it a clique, just a group of friends.

I have a 4th grade DD like this. I spoke to the school counselor and she said that at this age, it is common for cliques to have formed this time of year. She said as long as your child seems happy, gets good grades and is otherwise doing well, and has a couple of good friends, not too worry.

I look at it that my DD is not a follower, forms her own opinions, which means she is less likely to have too much mean girl activity directed towards her.

4 or 5

It seems that every party my daughter is invited to, girls hang out in groups. She tend to do better in smaller settings, like one on one. At school, she is with a group of girls similar to her but she is not totally attached to them.

What is your experience? Does your 5th grade daughter have friends that are inseparable?