Best friend moving away...

[Diane B]

Any ideas for how to help my 7 year old daughter cope with the loss of her best friend?  I found out this morning that she will be moving away over the summer.  I know my daughter will be devastated.  She has other friends, but this is really her closest friend since the first day of kindergarten.

[sewaneecook]

This happened to me when I was in grade school.  Throw her a going away party which can be just the 2 of them or a whole group.  Have your daughter and her friend plan it together - everything from the food to the games and activities.  Is she moving far away?  Is there a weekend they could visit a couple months after moving (either your daughter going there or her friend visiting you)?  This way they have something to look forward to after the move.  Become pen pals ... with real paper and pens and photos, not just email.  These were some things that helped me when my friend moved.  We remained in contact through college!