How to Help a Child Who Misses Her Old Friends 

Parenting Perspective 

Longing Is a Sign of Loyalty 

When a child longs for her old friends, it is a sign of loyalty and deep attachment. This is not a weakness, but a strength of her heart. Acknowledging this is the first step. Let her know that missing her friends is natural and that it shows how much she values her relationships. When you validate her grief, she feels that her emotions are respected rather than dismissed. 

New Friendships Do Not Erase Old Ones 

At the same time, a parent can gently guide her towards seeing that holding on to old friendships and opening up to new ones are not opposites. You can remind her that she does not have to let go of her old friends in order to welcome new people into her life. Practically, you can help her stay connected with her old friends through calls, messages, or occasional visits if possible, while also creating small opportunities for her to meet others at school, the mosque, or community events. 

Encourage Her to Expand Her Circle 

Encourage her to take one step at a time rather than expecting immediate bonds. Sometimes children imagine that new friendships must replace old ones but reframing it as expanding her circle can help her see it differently. You can also role-model this by showing her how adults maintain past connections while forming new ones. 

Spiritual Insight 

Hearts Are Capable of Both Loyalty and Growth 

Islam teaches us that our hearts are capable of both loyalty and growth. Missing loved ones does not mean closing the door to new relationships. 

Companionship Is a Comfort From Allah 

Allah Almighty states in the noble Quran at Surah Al-Furqan (25), Verse 74: 

‘And those people that say: “O our Sustainer, Grant to us (those circumstances that make) our spouses and our offspring, a comfort for our eyes; and make us from those that have attained piety, and a role model”’. 

This reminds us that companionship, whether in family or friendships, is a source of comfort from Allah, and asking Him to bring us people who uplift us is part of our faith. You can guide your daughter to make Dua for both her old friends and for Allah to grant her new ones who are righteous companions. 

Choose Friends Who Influence You Positively 

It is recorded in Jami al-Tirmidhi, Book 36, Hadith 75, that the holy Prophet Muhammad ﷺ said: 

‘A person is upon the religion of his close friend, so let one of you look at whom he befriends.’ 

This Hadith shows that choosing friends is not about replacing one for another, but about surrounding ourselves with companions who influence us positively. 

By validating her longing and gently encouraging her to remain open to Allah’s gifts of new friendships, you help her see that her heart has room for both love of the past and hope for the future. In this way, she learns to honour her emotions while trusting Allah to bring her the companionship she needs at every stage of life.