A six year old in our building follows my son everywhere. How does he say no kindly?

cedar_violin_921429 May 2026

Since the holidays started, a little boy from two floors down has attached himself to our son. He waits at our door, joins the cricket in the parking area and cries when the older boys send him off. My son is patient for the first hour and then starts hiding in his room when the doorbell goes. I've told him it's fine to want time with friends his own age, but he feels mean saying it, and the boy's parents are lovely people. I'd rather not turn it into a conversation between adults unless I have to. How would you help a boy his age set a limit with a much younger child without it landing as rejection?

1 comment

jade_spoon_717329 May 2026
I'm usually the parent on the other side of this. My son is six and adores older children, and he doesn't always read when they've had enough. What helps us most is when the older child says it plainly and gives a time: 'I'm playing with my friends now, I'll bowl to you after lunch tomorrow.' Hints and hiding confuse him far more than a clear no. If your son keeps that promise even once, it goes a long way. And a quiet word with the parents isn't a bad thing. I would want to know.