{"id":67216,"date":"2024-02-02T11:00:35","date_gmt":"2024-02-02T04:00:35","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/alternatech.net\/?p=67216"},"modified":"2024-02-02T11:00:35","modified_gmt":"2024-02-02T04:00:35","slug":"7-ways-to-teach-your-kids-to-be-friends-for-life","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/inovatestory.com\/7-ways-to-teach-your-kids-to-be-friends-for-life\/","title":{"rendered":"7 Ways to Teach Your Kids to Be Friends for Life"},"content":{"rendered":"<h4><span style='\"font-size:' color:>1. Never (ever, ever, ever) compare one child to another\n<p><span style='\"font-size:'>First things first. Never ever compare one of your kids to another. In other words, don\u2019t say things like, \u201cYour sister never gets in trouble at school, why do you?\u201d or \u201cWhy can\u2019t you be more like Susie? She always keeps her room clean.\u201d\n<p><span style='\"font-size:'>Even if you don\u2019t mean to do so, comparing your kids to each other makes them feel like you definitely have a favorite. That, more than anything, builds major resentment and causes a massive rift between your kids that can last well into their adulthood. For example, a 2015 Bringham Young University study found that parents\u2019 comparisons can actually set the course for their childrens\u2019 entire academic life and influence who they will become.\n<h4><span style='\"font-size:' color:>2. Encourage their mutual interests\u2026\n<p><span style='\"font-size:'>This is a two-part tip, hence the ellipses. First, definitely encourage mutual interests. If both Tommy and Susie love science fiction stories, start a family book club. If they both adore hiking, plan weekly (or even monthly, if time is tight) family trips to the local trail.\n<p><span style='\"font-size:'>Basically, make sure they have an opportunity to indulge in their shared interests together. Along with giving them something that they both enjoy doing together now, you\u2019re also making strong memories for them to reflect on later.\n<h4><span style='\"font-size:' color:>3. \u2026but also teach your kids that it\u2019s okay to have \u201cnothing in common.\u201d\n<p><span style='\"font-size:'>Teach your kids that it\u2019s absolutely fine to have \u201cnothing in common.\u201d Some of the best friendships involve two people who are polar opposites. Encourage your kids to cheer each other on, even if they have no idea what \u201clove\u201d means in tennis or what a \u201cfront handspring\u201d is.\n<p><span style='\"font-size:'>Remind them that even if they feel like they\u2019ll never share a single interest, they do in fact have one thing in common: you! Which brings us to\u2026\n<h4><span style='\"font-size:' color:>4. Let them \u201cgang up\u201d on you!\n<p><span style='\"font-size:'>Kids love to gang up on us parents, don\u2019t they? Even two children who rarely speak to each other make brilliant co-conspirators. While it\u2019s frustrating to listen to a chorus of \u201cplease, please, please\u201d after you\u2019ve already said \u201cno\u201d to something, that act of ganging up on you is actually a terrific bonding experience for kids.\n<h4><span style='\"font-size:' color:>5. Eat together as a family as often as possible\n<p><span style='\"font-size:'>You already know that studies show eating together as a family at least four times a week makes kids more successful as adults. It\u2019s also a great way to teach your kids to be friends for life. During those meals, even kids who rarely spend time together throughout the rest of the day have a chance to catch up and learn more about each other\u2019s passions.\n<p><span style='\"font-size:'>In fact, these family meals are especially important for developing a bond between two kids who don\u2019t have much in common. During the rest of the day, they can often feel like little more than tiny roommates sharing the same space and set of parents. Family meals help them actually feel like a family.\n<h4><span style='\"font-size:' color:>6. Don\u2019t overreact to age-appropriate behavior.\n<p><span style='\"font-size:'>Sometimes, kids might act in ways that seem unfriendly, such as not sharing, taking turns, or playing nicely. This is normal and part of their development. Instead of scolding or punishing your child, try to understand the reason behind their behavior and teach them better ways to handle the situation\n<h4><span style='\"font-size:' color:>7. Start with small groups.\n<p><span style='\"font-size:'>If your child is shy or has trouble making friends, you can help them by arranging playdates or activities with one or two other kids. This can help your child feel more comfortable and confident in social situations. You can also help your child prepare for the playdate by suggesting some games or topics to talk about.\n<p><span style='\"font-size:'>Here\u2019s something that will make you feel better if you\u2019re worried that your kids will never like each other. Growing up I used to fight with my sister so much! But now we are best friends!\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>1. Never (ever, ever, ever) compare one child to another First things first. Never ever compare one of your kids to another. In other words, don\u2019t say things like, \u201cYour sister never gets in trouble at school, why do you?\u201d or \u201cWhy can\u2019t you be more like Susie? She always keeps her room clean.\u201d Even\n","protected":false},"author":11,"featured_media":67217,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_seopress_robots_primary_cat":"","_seopress_titles_title":"","_seopress_titles_desc":"Never (ever, ever, ever) compare one child to another. First things first. 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