Are 3 1/2 yr olds supposed to have close friends?

[janellesmommy]

Or is it okay that DH and I are her best friends, and she just does parallel play with other kids?

[nicole lisa]

I think that's pretty much every 3.5 year old I've ever met. It's OK.

[beckyand3littlemonsters]

Originally Posted by janellesmommy

Or is it okay that DH and I are her best friends, and she just does parallel play with other kids?

I think it's completely normal for kids that age not to have "real" friends other than mum and dad they may play along side others but not actually want to play with anyone because palying on there own means more toys to play with
my dd chloe had a few friends at nursery, she would often come back talking about a little boy c and we would jokeingly say aww have you got a boyfriend chloe and she would say "no i've got 4"

[oyemicanto]

yes, I think that is normal. DS is almost 3 1/2 and he really only wants to play with me, DH, and his older sister who is 5. At playgroups or playdates he parallel plays with the other kids for the most part. To be perfectly honest, he would be happy just being at home with us and not participating in playgroups.

[~Nikki~]

My 3.5 year old has a 3 year old friend at her babysitter's. But I wouldn't call her a close friend. Last night, as I was tucking her into bed, she said to me "Christopher is mean to his little sister. I don't know her name." "Vanessa?" "Yes, Nessa, she's my friend."

I've never seen them play together, so I'm not sure if they parallel play, or actually interact with eachother. But judging from the fact that she can't even remember her ONLY friend's name, I would imagine they're not that close.

DD tells me all the time that I'm her best friend. And so is her Daddy and her brother.