
The Trust offers programs and initiatives to guide children and parents
So much of our childhoods were defined by the friends we made. The music we listened to, the movies we watched, the careers we aspired to and who we would go on to become as adults were greatly impacted by our best friends and group of friends. In the same way, the paths our children take toward their futures - the right ones or the wrong ones – are also heavily impacted by their friends.
There’s a lot at stake when it comes to our children’s friends. That’s what makes a recent report on how parents and caregivers can monitor and help their children when it comes to friends, especially important.
The C.S. Mott Children’s Hospital National Poll on Children’s Health published in September asked over 1,000 parents of 6–12-year-olds about issues relating to their kids’ friends. The report revealed that nearly one in five parents (19%) said their child either had no friends or not enough friends, while as many as 90 percent said their child wanted to make new friends.
More than half of the parents surveyed reported at least one barrier making it difficult for their child to form friendships, which included factors like shyness or social awkwardness (21%), little time for socializing (18%), and difficulties breaking into established friend groups (17%).
Interestingly, the report found that parents of older children, typically in fifth to eighth grade, were more likely to see their kids have difficulties related to friend groups already being formed or a lack of accessible places for kids to get together with friends. Many parents said they had taken steps to assist their children in making friends, often by organizing playdates, enrolling their children in extracurricular activities, and giving advice on how to socialize.
The report also stated that parents of younger children (K-4) were more likely to arrange playdates (45%) and try to make friends with other parents (30%) to help their kids become friends.
While friendships are vital for children’s social development and emotional well-being, making friends isn’t always easy. For parents seeking to support their children, especially those who may be shy or have special needs, resources like The Children’s Trust Parent Club are invaluable. The Parent Club offers educational workshops in English, Spanish, and Creole offered throughout the county and are designed to give parents the tools and knowledge they need to raise thriving children. Topics cover various aspects of child-rearing, equipping parents with research-backed strategies on issues like building friendships, managing challenging behaviors, and fostering emotional intelligence.
The workshops are free, with the aim of bringing out the best in both parents and children. For more information on The Parent Club, or to sign up for a workshop, visit TheChildrensTrust.org/ParentClub.
As well as the Parent Club, The Children’s Trust offers an array of supports for parents and caregivers with a total of 47 programs offering parenting supports and behavioral health services. For more information, visit TheChildrensTrust.org and to find a program visit TheChildrensTrust.org/Find-A-Program.