You may have heard that children have difficulty making friends in school. This can be true for some children, but it’s not the whole story. Many schools have programs that allow kids to make friends with other kids. You can start doing this for your child by reading about friendship and understanding how to make kids feel good about themselves.
One of the greatest things about raising children is sharing these valuable moments with loved ones. Many parents, however, do not realize that this means they often take on the responsibility of creating boundaries with friends and family.
One of the most common questions that new parents ask is, “Does friendship in parenting work?” The answer is yes—but only if you do it right.
Here are some tips on how to make your friendship with your child last:
1. Don’t go overboard with the hugs and kisses.
This can be tempting, but it’s important not to let this type of affection become routine. If you need to hug or kiss your kid every time they see you, then perhaps it’s time for another type of interaction!
2. Ensure you’re creating an environment where your child feels safe enough to share their feelings.
If they’re old enough, this could mean letting them tell you about their day at school or letting them talk about their feelings when they’re upset. But even if they’re not quite ready for this yet, try giving them plenty of one-on-one time with other adults who have similar values and interests as them (e.g., grandparents or aunties) so that they’ll feel comfortable telling those people their problems instead of coming to you directly (and vice versa).
