Fitting in with others is a skill we all need to develop so we can function in our daily lives, so when we see that our kids are struggling, we worry. When kids seemingly have nowhere they belong among their peers, there may be a few different reasons behind the issue.
If you’re worried your child is not fitting in with others, take a look at the following tips as you attempt to help him or her navigate the social adventures in life.
Talk About It
Before you worry too much about your child not fitting in with their peers, talk to them about your concerns. Sometimes what parents see is only a small part of a complete picture, and while your child may not appear popular, he or she may be content with a small number of friends.
Some children prefer to be alone or interact with very small groups of people, so try to gauge how your child feels about his or her social life before taking steps to help.
Teach Social Skills
If your child is having a hard time fitting in with others, they may simply need to develop their social skills in a way that makes them more confident during interactions. Teach your child how to approach other people, start conversations, and continue back and forth speech naturally.
Give your child time to develop their social skills by practicing with people they already know. You might encourage them to talk to siblings or cousins, play with the neighborhood kids, or spend more time talking to peers at youth group.
Broaden Your Horizons
Your child is an individual, and sometimes, unique young people find it hard to relate to people with whom they share no common interests. Rather than trying to make your child fit into cookie-cutter expectations others have for them, broaden your child’s horizons. Get them involved with people who share some of their hobbies.
For example, if your child likes animals and gardening, you might want to sign him or her up with your local 4H Club. If your child is into board games, comics, or trading cards, visit a comic book store in your area to see if there are gaming groups operating nearby.
While every child is different, you as their parent know when something isn’t right. Be patient as your child tries to find a place in their environment, but if they appear sad, withdrawn, or lonely for an extended length of time, please reach out to a professional for help.
