Children can experience real pressure when it comes to making new friends, finding where they fit in, and worrying about being accepted.
Going back to school doesn’t look the same for everyone. With schools opening soon, some children are lucky; they walk into the same school they’ve known forever, waving to familiar faces and slipping back into old routines.
However, others are starting afresh at a new school, joining a new class, trying to find their footing.
You also have toddlers stepping into daycare for the very first time, where they suddenly feel more alone without mom and dad.
While making friends has always been challenging for certain personality types, modern times have seemingly made it even more complicated.
It’s no longer just enough to be funny, kind or smart. Today, children, especially those in high school, are constantly judged by their online presence and follower counts. Social media can make it feel like you need 10k likes on a selfie or thousands of followers just to be friend-worthy. Undoubtedly, there’s real pressure around making new friends and finding where you fit in.
As a child journeys through their schooling career, classes are shuffled and sometimes schools change. Friendships often shift too.
Here are a few things you can do as a parent to support your child in forming new friendships:
- Let them join clubs, teams or societies
- Allow them to embrace diversity
- Encourage your children to talk
- Instill and emphasise the importance of kindness
- Remind them to not rush interactions
Also see: Are You Meeting These 5 Emotional Needs? A Parent’s Guide to Healthy Childhood Growth
Feature Image: Pexels
