Helping Your Teen Make and Keep Friends

Trying to help your older child make friends can be a challenge. While younger child expect you to take an active role in helping them, teenagers may struggle to accept your help.

Children’s friendships are complex. They’re likely to make and fall out with friends throughout their childhood. It helps them learn how to communicate with others, problem solve, and develop social skills.

Many children have lots of friends, while others stick with one best friend. Some children struggle to make and keep positive friendships and will need extra support to tackle specific difficulties.

Ways to help your teen make friends

Lots of children find it difficult to make friendships. Understanding why your child is struggling can help you plan ways to best support them.

There are a range of reasons why some children struggle to make and keep friends:

• Low self-confidence
• Over dominant with friends – always being the leader
• Naturally shy or quiet
• Difficulties with communication skills
• Struggles to manage their emotions
• Different interests and hobbies

If your child is anxious, encourage them to invite a like-minded child over for a quieter visit at your home to help them feel more relaxed. Remind them that other children feel anxious too and will find it hard to have the courage to invite a friend over.

Teens can also use their phones and devices to find friends with similar interests to them. There are websites and social media groups for every hobby imagi