Earlier we talked about how kids naturally want to make friends and how those efforts can sometimes be thwarted by shyness, a lack of social skills, or simply not knowing where to go to meet their peers. Now we’re going to fill you in on some practical things you can do to help your child take the first steps toward making friends.
5 Easy Ways For Parents To Help Their Children Make Friends
Top 5 Easy Ways For Parents To Help Their Children Make Friends
Find a friend who have similar interests as you
If you’re an introvert, making new friends may be difficult. You may feel awkward in a group setting, or you may not feel comfortable interacting with people. If this describes you, there are several ways to overcome this problem.
One of the most effective ways is to find friends who have similar interests as you. This will increase the likelihood of developing a strong friendship. Having good friends reduces stress and alleviates loneliness, according to Amber O’Brien, a psychologist at the Mango Clinic in Miami.
Additionally, she points out that healthy friendships are linked to better cardiovascular health, lower blood pressure, lower depression, and longer life. Another expert on the benefits of good friendships is Mahesh Grossman, a hypnotherapist. Mahesh says he has made a lot of friends through 12-step groups, church groups, and peer-led meditation groups.
While making friends may seem like a simple task, establishing close relationships requires time. Research has shown that it takes hundreds of hours to form a deep friendship. It is important to set realistic expectations for yourself. For example, if you want to make friends with a group of 20 people, you should expect to spend around 200 hours with them. It may take a few months for friendships to form. It is important to make friends with people who make you happy. Do not rush things.
Take effort
If you are looking for friends, you need to make an effort. Try going to social events in your community, going to local workout classes, and joining social clubs. When you are lonely, try not to focus on the negative thoughts that may keep you from making new friends. Instead, focus on pursuing the friendships that you want.
Friendships are like plants and animals: if you don’t water them and don’t keep talking to them, you’ll quickly lose their flowers. Likewise, you’ll lose your fitness if you stop watering your garden. Taking an active role in making friends means that you’ll get gratification when you do. Be ready to share information and suggest a future meeting.
While this can feel awkward and anxious, it is an important step toward building lasting friendships. Friendships can be difficult to develop, especially if you’re new to a place. This is because forming a strong connection with another human being takes time. This means that you have to actively engage in meeting new people, strike up small conversations, and see if there’s a connection.
Friendships are an important part of your support system. They can be a lifeline during difficult times. Moreover, making new friends gives you the chance to serve as a support to others who need it most. By acknowledging your own good qualities and showing your interest in others, you can encourage others to do the same.
Take chemistry
Chemistry in relationships is a phenomenon that occurs between people who are attracted to each other. This arousal is created by subtle dispositions and behaviors that are shared by both parties. It’s similar to the way that two people feel when they are in love. The two people share feelings and thoughts and thus create a closed karmic loop.
While romantic relationships are the subject of countless papers, few have examined friendships. But one recent study examined the initial chemistry between two pals. The researchers found that those who are attracted to each other tend to be conscientious, agreeable, and open to experience. This suggests that the initial attraction between two people is more than merely sexual attraction.
When people like each other, they will sit close to each other and brush their arms and legs. They may even joke around with each other. It may even make them nervous. But the ego is a powerful force and is often in the way of making friends. By avoiding this, you can increase the chances of forming friendships.
According to the Interpersonal Chemistry Model, chemistry between two individuals is based on shared identity, mutual interests, and personableness. The latter two components are dependent on each other, and the former depend on mutual affinities and shared goals. Therefore, only when you are familiar with someone and have a sense of chemistry with them, will you be able to form a close relationship.
Take a change of scenery
If you want to make new friends, sometimes it takes a change of scenery. You may need to go out of your comfort zone and try activities that you may not have tried before. However, this new environment may help you build new relationships and find new interests. A change of scenery can also improve your mental health. In addition, it can make you more open to new experiences. So, what are you waiting for?
Take time
It can take time to make friends. This is especially true if you’re not working, as meeting new people is not a part of your daily life. And it might take more time if you’re living far away. However, if you do have the time, you should try to make friends. When looking for new friends, you can join clubs or groups and hope to get acquainted with people.
But sometimes you might feel like you don’t get along with everyone and feel a little lonely or left out. If you’re not getting a lot of responses to your attempts to make friends, give it a few more tries. It might be that you don’t connect on the first day, but over time you’ll be able to warm up.
When meeting new people, be sure to get their contact information. You may not get the chance to see them again. But if you get contact information from someone, you can easily reach them whenever you need to. Whether it’s through a phone call or a social media post, having their contact information is helpful in many ways.
If you’re shy, try joining groups of people with similar interests. Talking about your passions will help you meet new people and develop new friendships. If you’re a socially awkward person, try to emulate the people around you who can make friends easily. For instance, try to look people in the eye when you’re talking to them.
Conclusion
Making friends can be tough, especially for kids. But there are a few easy things parents can do to help their children make friends. By teaching them how to be open and friendly, showing them how to listen and be interested in others, and helping them find opportunities to meet new people, parents can give their kids a big leg up when it comes to making friends.