Looking for friends.... in I don't know....

I haven't written in a while. Life has been overwhelming, to say the least. However, this is a straw for the camel's back.

My sweet, tender hearted 11 yo is so lonely. She has written her "best friend" back home and the little girl doesn't write back. When we went home this summer they had a good time. While we were there M got an e-mail and she immediately responded. However, when Bailey e-mailed last week, M never responded to her. It's really sad. Bailey saw M respond and she thought it would be a great way to communicate with M.

I'm looking for a pen pal program to see if I can connect her with someone that wants to write like she does. It's not the same as having a friend to run around outside with, though or giggle in her room with.

How many times can you go up to a mother and say, "My kid is lonely. Would you like to connect our girls?" It seems like everyone here is so connected with one another that they don't have room for a newer person.

I hate to say it, but I find it being that way for myself as well.

I am heartbroken for my kiddo and I honestly don't know how to help her. My mother pretty much squashed any friendships I had when I was Bailey's age. I'm not good at friendships. In fact, I stink at them, but I hate for my kids to not have friends and not do better than I did. I'm heartbroken for her.

**I spoke with my friend back home and asked, "What is the best way for Bailey to communicate with M?" She laughed and said that M had written Bailey a letter and they have had a box to send us for some time (they forgot to give it to us when we were there). They have 3 foster/adopt preschoolers in the house and life went upside down. She also told me that the one day M checked her e-mail was the one day Bailey was there. LoL She rarely checks her e-mail. I have learned, over the years, that communication with my friend is disjointed, but it's always sincere and honest when we need to. I feel so much better!!!