Buddy Club in Primary School?

Question

My step-son came to our house at weekend, and he mentioned in passing that he has been put into a buddy club at school. He is 7 years old. We asked what the buddy club was, and he said it was for children who have no friends and they go into the club and then nice people come to play with them.

Obviously my husband and I are really worried about this. Unfortunately we have a very poor relationship with his mum so we can't go to her to ask if she knows anything about it. We can't talk to the school because the lady who deals with parents in the school office is his mum's friend and at his mums request has stopped all information from the school coming to us. We don't have a parental responsibility agreement as my step-son was born pre-2001. So because of this we cannot contact the school. I have been on their website to see if there was any information on there but there isn't. The last time we contacted the school my step-son's mum was notified and she cut our access for a few weeks.

Answer 1

My youngest was in a buddy club. She went in to help kids that were new to the school. She is 12. It gives the new child someone they can find at lunch and break times and someone they can talk to if they do have a problem. After a bit these kids made their own friends but she also makes a new friend, it seems to be a win win for both kids.

I hope this helps, you can also ask your step son how school is going, sometimes kids say they have no friends but they do, just hang in there.

Answer 2

That's a good way for kids to make friends. I don't see why your so worried about it.

Answer 3

My daughter had buddy lcubs at her school. It sounds a bit different- basically the kids who were lonely etc #(they didn't say, oooh the kids with no friends) went to sit on a bench, and someone would run up and say do you want to play __ with us. I thought it was quite nice myself. As a dinner lady partime, you could see who the friendly kids were and who the shy kids were, and I think it helped their self esteem tremendously. Don't worry too much- it's hard but he's got to do it his own way, and you know he CAN make friends. My daughter made her best friend for 6 years from the buddy bench, asking this new shy little girl to play with her- and hopefully that will happen to your step son.

I think that the school shouldn't notify the boys mum everytime you want to hear how he's doing. He's your husband's child too, and I think you should consider taking the school to court. They are NOT supposed to act like that, especailly in cases such as that.

Good luck.