Author: Tracey Clayton

From the perspective of an adult – the childhood is a carefree and a happy period. For the kids themselves, this isn’t always the case. Growing up is marred by fears and anxieties, most of which come from the constant need to adjust to some social norm. One of these is definitely the pressure to fit in, be popular, outspoken, and extroverted. These are all fine and useful skills, but not all kids have them (or want them for that matter). It’s a very difficult thing for a parent to see that their child is unpopular or even worse unhappy about it. There is always the dilemma between getting involved and helping your kid and being the parent who hovers over every aspect of their kid’s life. There are ways to help without stepping over that line. Teaching social skills It’s pretty hard to define what social skills are, let alone to teach them. The best thing you can do is to lead by example. Think about the values you find important in a friendship (loyalty, honesty, empathy etc.) show them why they are important. Also, talking really helps. If your kid is having problems at school or feels left out – the first thing to do is talk it over. Reassuring the child about their worth and love is the cure in itself. But, don’t stop there. Go...