Instead, parents may choose to reply by restating what they hear their child saying. A first step is to ask the child who they would like to have as a friend. Then the parent might arrange to invite the prospective friend for after-school play or may choose to enroll their child in extracurricular activities with the prospective friend. Parents may wish to volunteer to work in scouts or 4-H, or coach sports, so that they might facilitate their child's interactions with others. Accept the challenge.
Parents can become good role models in solving problems.
They can help children see that the problem of making friends in a new classroom, although sometimes difficult, can be tackled. Talking about possible solutions with the child may be an ongoing useful strategy. Helping the child understand that if one course of action does not work, another can be tried, offers the child reassurance that the problem will eventually be resolved. Parents might think of a time when they were in a similar situation and tell their child how they felt. It might be helpful for them to let the child know that they experienced the same fears about making friends on a new job.