Ways to help teenager make friends easily -The Asian Age

For teenagers, friends turn out to be a personal support group that provides a sense of security and also boosts confidence levels. Do you know as a parent you can help your teen shed his social inhibitions and make friends?
Boost his confidence: Growing teens tend to be more self-conscious, and need someone to boost their morale on a regular basis. Praise your teen often for what he does, and offer a little constructive criticism along the way, but make sure you don't hurt him in the process. Your teen will soon turn into an adult, and you need to value his opinion even more than before. Adolescents need to have the assurance that their ideas are valuable. Simple acts of taking his suggestions into consideration can make your teen feel confident.

Encourage him to engage in activities: Watching TV and playing video games may be your teen's favorite pastime- but is it good for him? If your teen spends a lot of time at home and doesn't participate in social and extra-curricular activities, he's obviously more likely to have trouble making friends and interacting with others. Limit your teen's TV time and encourage him to engage in activities that involve interaction with others. One of the best ways in helping teens make friends, particularly if you are new to a locality, is to encourage him to pursue a hobby. Ask your child to enroll in art workshops or language classes, or cricket coaching, to help him meet and get comfortable with other teens who share the same interests.


Establish a good parent-child relationship: Establishing a healthy parent-child relationship is one of the steps toward making your child a better individual. Teens who have a positive relationship with their parents are also more likely to have healthy relationships with their peers. Actively listening to your teen and making a genuine effort to connect with him will work wonders for your relationship with him. It will also create a support system for him. He will know he can count on your love and support.

Brush up his conversational skills: You can help your teen handle situations better by simply talking to him. If you notice your teen has been spending a lot of time alone, the best approach is to sit down and have a discussion about what's making him unhappy and anxious. Many teens also tend to be shy and introvert, and the best way to help them come out of their shell is to let them talk and master the art of making conversations. Accept and move on: One of the most important things you can do for your teen is to be supportive. Accept your child's flaws and help him shape his skills. Your teen may have some social weaknesses, but give him the time and space to work out things on his own. Always make sure that you offer unconditional love to your teen. Your support for him shouldn't depend upon his social success.


The author is an online activist www.momjunction.com