How much social interaction makes her happy? Is she pining for something just because popularity matters in middle school or is she really needing close friends? If she needs friends, then is the middle school a good place to look? Does she find these friends satisfying? Or is she drawn to people on a more intellectual level? Does she get along with older kids or younger kids or all kids? Does she need more time to mull things over academically?
By getting to know your dd (and whatever you don't know, you should ask her-- you might be surprised!)
Well, that's my two cents of BTDT experience. Just an opinion, not a guide for what works in your circumstance.
Just had a good discussion about all this with DH. We both agreed (as does the psych) that if DD just had one good friend she would be so happy. If she could find someone who was crazy about art, loved to talk about politics and weird mushrooms and the history of the American magic school connected to Hogwarts.....
We both agreed that middle school hasn't supplied anyone like that. Anyone she labels "nice" is in art class, but we haven't seen any true connections occur. She keeps trying though!! I have seen her ask for so many girls' phone numbers this summer so she can text them. They don't respond. She did click with a home school girl recently. They have been swimming together (I am so thrilled).
Kids at school have called her "weird", or told her there was something wrong with her and made fun of the books she was reading. Ugh. Oh, she really got excited about the thought of a writing club to meet other writers.
