Any suggestions for my sister

[funnyfarm]

My Sister has 3 girls, Year 7, Year 6 and Year 5.

She has friends and cousins etc all with children but the children are all younger than hers. Her girls are the oldest and she is finding especially her oldest DD seems to be alone alot of the time as the other kids are "too young to play with"

She is thinking about getting the girls into something so they are around children more their age when they are out of school and to also maybe have the possibility of forming friendships with parents of these children etc. Maybe longterm grow to have a friendship with parents that have children the same age.

She is thinking of seeing if they want to join girl guides, i also suggested check out the PCYC clubs in her area.

Her kids do go to activities outside of school which hasn't really led to anything. They go to dancing etc and also to youthgroup which is only once a month but its all the kids they go to school with.
Do any of you have any other suggestions.

I suggested also maybe little athletics but does anyone have any other ideas i can pass on to her.

[Ky]

My kids go to a weekly youth group and DD has just joined a semi-social dance group.

Girls Brigade is a great inexpensive alternative to Girl Guides or Scouts (no knocking them though - I went to GG and loved it as a kid!).

My DD is itching to turn 8 so that she can join St Johns Ambulance.

Another option would be to find a local church that has a great kids program - my kids have made so many friends through "River Kids" that is held at our church every Sunday morning and night during 2 of the services.

I hope that your sister meets some other really great parents with kids around the same age as hers ... it's pretty important that kids have peer group friends and it helps if the parents are friends too

[funnyfarm]

Thanks for your reply. Will let her know your good suggestions.

Keep the ides coming ladies

[Ys_Woman]

I think you have come up with some good suggestions. It very much depends on what your nieces are interested in and have a talent for.
Kids are brilliant at making new friends though..it is adults that have the hardest time of it I think.
Hope they find something soon.
Amy

[Loopy Linda]

i think it is harder when kids get to that age. most parents would tend to drop them off and pick them up when finished. my eldest son has played in a team sport for many seasons now but he keeps changing clubs so each year i have new kids and mums!

i think an easy way is to volunteer at the school. like help with fundraising or uniform shop, or just attend parent mornings and p & c. might work if her time allows it

[Dannielle]

PCYC clubs are a good idea. Plus they are usually quite resonable price wise too. Which helps when you have 3 doing it.

My girls do recreational gymnastics and love it. DD1 also does cheerleading and really enjoys it. Her sisters will be doing it next year.