DD2 Losing A Friend

[Fro]

My daughter just turned 2, and so did a dkb who I have been watching since they both started to walk over a year ago. They have become best friends. My dd watches out the window every morning for him, and they walk around holding hands all day. they are so cute.
This morning dcb's mom told me that his father lost his job, so they wouldnt be comming back after this week. I am sad to see him leave, he has been here all day every day for long enough to feel like he is one of my own, but I am more sad to see my dd lose her best friend. I have suggested that we keep in touch and schedule play dates, and dcm agreed, but we will have to see where that takes us.
How have you guys explained to your little ones why a friend isnt comming over anymore?

[SilverSabre25]

At that age, she'll forget awfully fast. I just tell my DD (3 yo, 2 when I started) that "X doesn't need daycare with us anymore," and we focus on the friends that we DO have with us.

[laundrymom]

At that age, she'll forget awfully fast. I just tell my DD (3 yo, 2 when I started) that "X doesn't need daycare with us anymore," and we focus on the friends that we DO have with us.

Yep kids here go on vacation. Mine are old enough now to not stress but at two they just adjust.

[nannyde]

My daughter just turned 2, and so did a dkb who I have been watching since they both started to walk over a year ago. They have become best friends. My dd watches out the window every morning for him, and they walk around holding hands all day. they are so cute.
This morning dcb's mom told me that his father lost his job, so they wouldnt be comming back after this week. I am sad to see him leave, he has been here all day every day for long enough to feel like he is one of my own, but I am more sad to see my dd lose her best friend. I have suggested that we keep in touch and schedule play dates, and dcm agreed, but we will have to see where that takes us.
How have you guys explained to your little ones why a friend isnt comming over anymore?

You don't really have to say anything to her other than answer her if she asks you if X is coming today. Say "no not today". Once you have a lot of "not todays" under her belt then you can say to her "he is at home with his Mommy. She's going to take care of him today".

You said: I am more sad to see my dd lose her best friend.

At her age the idea of best friend is only for the adults. Kids her age don't think like that. They think about what will they do NOW or today. They don't think of other people in terms of best. They just know what is best for them right now.

This is YOUR loss of her mate. Most likely they play well enough together that it makes you happy and that's a tough one to give up.

I don't do "besties" here. I make sure all the kids play with all the kids here (cept the babies who can't walk) so when a kid leaves it doesn't affect the group. They don't mourn the loss of one kid. They are a group and the group is the same to them.

[laundrymom]

I don't do "besties" here. I make sure all the kids play with all the kids here (cept the babies who can't walk) so when a kid leaves it doesn't affect the group. They don't mourn the loss of one kid. They are a group and the group is the same to them.

I do the same.

[countrymom]

I don't do besties either, and I try to incourage my own kids to do the same, play with everyone and not get attatched to one child.

[AnythingsPossible]

When I read this, my mind went somewhere else entirely. Yesterday afternoon 4 of our local high school girls were hit by a drunk driver when they left the school on their free hour to go get lunch. One was killed and they others are all in the hospital. So when I read, lost a friend, I took a different meaning from it.
My friend and I were talking last night about how it was certainly easier when our kids were little and the issues not as big and scary. My son didn't know the girl who was killed well, but he knew the other girls in the car. He was a pretty bummed guy last night. I love that my kids are growing up, but hate the things that go along with it. But unfortunately that's life...very sad day yesterday. It is my sons first year of high school and there have certainly been very big changes. He has been faced with a lot of things this year that have made him grow up pretty quickly. I'm glad we have the kind of relationship where he talks to me though. Big bonus.
Sorry to go so off topic.

[Fro]

thx for the replys guys. Your all right, Im sure she will adjust just fine. I dont usually do besties here either, but this situation is different. I have kids all day every day, so I cant go to our local playgroup, which meets weekday mornings, and none of my friends have kids her age. Daycare kids are my daughters only socialization right now. And this dcb is the only kid her age I have had in a while. Most of my kids were older for a while, and now Im getting babies.
She is a very social, and routine oriented kid, and very much looks forward to monday mornings because she can see her friend, but gets mad when the babies come over . I guess im just feeling guilty .

[Lilbutterflie]

I hope you are able to fill the spot with a child around her age!