Encourage your children

   As the time is now creeping into the school year and new friends and faces are at hand. You may wonder how to encourage your child, if your child is a bit shy and withdrawn from other kids.
  I know first hand how you feel as a mother, coming home from school and a lunch has not been touched, as well as a child who looks at you with a long face not knowing how to tell you he or she feels as if no one wants to play with them.
  We recently had a huge life change that involved us to have to move from our location... meaning a new school. So, with all the kids who may have already established the new friendships in the earlier years. My child was one who had to find a new group of peers to get to know and learn to adapt to the new school.
  This was a challange for us all. No one wants to have a child come home with a sad face, saying they just have no one to play with.
   So, I first had to find a way to encourage my child that everything was going to be fine, and she will learn to make new friends. First thing I did was call the school and ask to speak with her teacher about the issues, and about my child's backgroud. Every child is different. One child may like to play with Barbies, while the other child likes Lego's. I then asked, questions... what is she playing with at school, in terms of toys and out door play? I am involved in her at home as much as I can be. We read to each other, and interact as well.
  So one thing that I was also encouraged to do was to write a letter and send it with her to school to ask other parents for a play date. This way when she has one on one time with new friends, she will find a way to expand new friendships in school.

  Last but not least, ask them what is on their minds. One thing I have done with my own child was always notice certain changes in her mood. A quite child, was something she always was but I know when she seems to be talking a lot... I notice she is a happier child. It may take them awhile to open up, but I notice when you get into their world, and talk to them as a friend and parent... they seem to relate and open up.

  So when you encourage your child to be more outgoing, give it time... and address it to their school your concerns. They sometimes have different groups that separate the less outgoing children from the more outgoing children. They can learn to find new friendships this way.