"Question: My nine-year-old son has a best friend since he was in nursery school. They were always very close and I also have a friendship with the boy's mother, as we have younger children the same age and the boys were both our first."
"The boy would be a bit immature and have a lot of tantrums and it is suspected that there is some sort of neurodiversity there. The issue from my point of view is that I suspect all this is having a negative effect on my son. His friend is very possessive and relies on him a lot and I think it is putting a lot of pressure on my son."
A nine-year-old has maintained a close friendship with a boy from nursery school, and the parents also have a friendship. The friend shows immaturity, frequent tantrums, and behaviors suggesting possible neurodiversity. The friend is possessive and heavily reliant on the nine-year-old, creating an imbalance in emotional and social demands. The parent perceives stress and negative effects on the child’s wellbeing and is concerned about the pressure this friendship places on their son. Consideration of boundaries, guidance in social skills, and support for both children are implied next steps to protect the child’s needs while acknowledging the friend's challenges.
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