How to help your teenager make friends the right way

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All kids deserve to have healthy, fulfilling social lives. If only it were that easy! Sometimes, they need a nudge. Try these top tips for how to help your teenager make friends and keep them.

1. Boost confidence. For parents, there’s little more satisfying than a kid who's at ease in their own skin. It encourages everyone around them to be confident, too. So, cheer on your teen at every turn and guide them to embrace their authentic selves. Remind them they're spectacular, just as they are.

2. Get them talking. Unlock communication channels with your kids. Be a safe space to discuss their feelings: the good, the bad, and the downright confusing. Then, listen to their concerns. Maybe they're worried about fitting in or having issues with a friend. Most importantly, listening, empathizing, and offering guidance without judgment is crucial.

3. Embrace shared interests. Chatting with someone who’s into the same stuff is always easier. Encourage your teen to join clubs or classes that match their interests. Whether they’re obsessed with sports, art, or anything in between, their next BFF could be a shared hobby away.

4. Teach emotional intelligence. Teenagers, bless their hearts, are a whirlwind of emotions. The beauty is that these feelings, even the stormy ones, can be harnessed and turned into positives. Teach your teen the tools they need to understand, manage, and express their emotions in healthy ways. It’s all about recognizing when they have big feelings, figuring out why, and redirecting them into something constructive. Trust us — it's a life skill that will serve them throughout adulthood.

5. Celebrating diversity in friendships. Encourage your kids to mix it up with friendships. Why stick to one group? There's a whole world of different perspectives out there. By forming diverse friendships, teens better understand the world around them and have a wider support network.

6. Just be there. Your presence matters. A lot! For many teens, knowing they have a rock-solid parent in their corner — emotionally and physically — can make a difference. Knowing they have your unwavering support can help build teenage self-confidence, allowing them to take reasonable risks, stumble, and get back up again. Confidence can also make it easier to form healthy, positive friendships. 

Tailor these tips to your kid's personality and your family’s needs. Here's to helping them make friends and create forever memories.

Head to the Greenlight Learning Center for more tips on raising confident, thriving kids.