Raising Kids Who are Popular With Their Peers

As parents we want our children to be happy, and oneimportant at home. A child who is respected learns to
of the most significant areas of their lives is that ofrespect others too.
friendships. Kids love to have friends, and, whatever3. Such love and respect helps to build a high
age the child, it's a delight to parents to watch theirself-esteem. As well as this, give your child the
children happy in a friendship, playing games, sharingopportunity to try out different activities, so that she
activities. It can be equally distressing when a child hascan find something she is good at, something she can
difficulty either making friends, especially in newexcel at and enjoy, which will build her confidence in
situations (it's quite upsetting when we feel theirherself and her abilities.
loneliness), or when they have difficulty keeping friends.4. A child who is confident is less likely to fall prey to
Children will invariably come home from school atbullies. Bullies tend to seek out children who are visibly
some, or lots of times, in their lives, upset because theyless confident. In fact, being 'nice' doesn't always work
have fallen out with friends, have been ostracised- a child, just like an adult, who sticks up for his values
from a group, or have been inexplicably treated badly.and is not a 'push-over' is usually popular and
There are ways that parents can raise their children torespected.
be popular with their peers, without the necessity of5. Teach your child to see things from others' point of
buying them the latest gizmos like fashionable clothesview, to see the other side of the story. For example,
or electronic games. Parents can raise their kids to bea child who complains her friend won't play with her -
confident, independent individuals. Such individuals arethere could be various reasons for this, like she feels
always popular, give or take a few jealousies thatshe has been hurt, is jealous about something, or
come along the way. Here are a few ideas:-feeling unloved - children have complex emotions they
1. Children who are encouraged to be independentcannot communicate to either friends or their parents.
from an early age grow to be confident - they do notIt's hard for the egocentric child to comprehend such
feel insecure when they meet new challenges likethings, but you can at least make them aware there is
starting school or leaving their parents. Youralways another side to every story.
encouragement can be in any area depending on their6. As a parent, be organised, not just in your own life,
age. A small child can be encouraged to make abut your child's life. Little things, like having the right
sandwich, put his coat on, whereas an older child canequipment for school, wearing suitable clothes for an
be given new responsibilities, say, cooking lunch, gettingactivity, mean so much to a child. A child who stands
a paper round. The key point for parents is to refrainout as the ill-prepared child can feel unconfident and be
from giving a 'helping hand', no matter how tempting,a target for ridicule.
because this does not allow them the space or7. When you meet your child's friends, be nice! Ask
discipline to help themselves.them questions about themselves - be a popular
2. Give your child your time (this is what he wantsparent.
more than anything). He wants your time and cuddles,As parents you have the responsible and admirable
to feel loved. A child who loves himself learns to lovejob of mentor and role model to your children, and a
others, and he learns love from you. When things arechild who is strong and independent is well-equipped
not going as well as expected in any other area of hisfor the world of friendships, school and, indeed, life.
life, at least he knows he is loved, respected and