I Think We Are Gonna Be Friends

B was in preschool all year since 2 1/2.  He had a lot of friends.  Sometimes he would say "so and so didn't play with me today" but never made it a big deal.  In the last week B has come home from Kindergarten quite sad that the kids don't play with him.  We made the run-down.  When won't they play with you?  How are you asking?  Are they already playing a game?  Do you join along or expect them to change what they are doing?  And yes, most often this only-child-for-5-years-and-now-oldest-child expects others to do exactly what he says.  And getting to the root of it is that the girl of his heart's desire won't play with him.  We then go through, sometimes people need alone time.  Sometimes girls want to play girlie games.  It's nice to make a lot of friends and don't just try to have one or two of your favorite friends.  It kind of breaks my heart.  I can try to help him but I can't go to recess with him to coach him through.  At his parent-teacher conference it was specifically mentioned that a) the kids really like him and b) he participates exceptionally in group discussions.  So I don't get it.  Maybe it's just a few bad days.  Maybe it's his love playing with another boy.  Maybe he comes on too strong or is too bossy.  But sometimes I pick him up and all the kids yell "Bye *B*!!!"  He plays at the park with a kid from class.  And then I go through his backpack and find a bedazzled card from his love.

So how do you deal with this issue?  I'm just assuming all kids deal with this.  I know I did as a very shy girl but I wasn't coached and I think it lingers today, proven by the fact that I have so few friends and none very close.  He is not a shy boy.  And I think the kids do like him.  But his feelings are valid and there's got to be something I can say that will help him.