How to help your child form friendships:
The first step in helping your child with friendships to talk to your child. Children, like adults, vary greatly in their opinions regarding friendships.
Explore the following, and other similar questions with your child:
What is your idea of a good friend?
What kind of friends do you like to spend time with?
What makes you a good friend?
How do kids make friends?
How do you know when someone is a friend?
The answers your child provides during this conversation can guide you as you and your child work together to develop a plan to improve their satisfaction with their friendship. Keep in mind that your child's ideas regarding friendships may not match your own. A child who enjoys having one good friend at a time may have parents who like to be social and maintain many friendships or vice versa. It is important to explore your own thoughts about social relationships as you help your child identify his/her own preferences. It is also important that your child help to determine any steps that are taken on his/her behalf, either by him/herself, or by another person. Involving your child in a meaningful way empowers self-advocacy and demonstrates that you have confidence in his/her abilities.
The first step in helping your child with friendships to talk to your child. Children, like adults, vary greatly in their opinions regarding friendships.
Explore the following, and other similar questions with your child:
What is your idea of a good friend?
What kind of friends do you like to spend time with?
What makes you a good friend?
How do kids make friends?
How do you know when someone is a friend?
The answers your child provides during this conversation can guide you as you and your child work together to develop a plan to improve their satisfaction with their friendship. Keep in mind that your child's ideas regarding friendships may not match your own. A child who enjoys having one good friend at a time may have parents who like to be social and maintain many friendships or vice versa. It is important to explore your own thoughts about social relationships as you help your child identify his/her own preferences. It is also important that your child help to determine any steps that are taken on his/her behalf, either by him/herself, or by another person. Involving your child in a meaningful way empowers self-advocacy and demonstrates that you have confidence in his/her abilities.