No Intervention in Children's Friendship Relationships

Saying that parents should approach their children's friendship relations in a more balanced way, Psychologist Consultant Işıl Ustaalioğlu, one of the experts at DoktorTakvimi.com, gives important advice to parents in this regard.

Saying, “We want our children to acquire good behavior while raising them,” Ustaalioğlu underlines that for this, first of all, parents should exhibit similar attitudes:

“Your child takes you as an example. Children of angry and intrusive parents, who cannot live their negative emotions in a healthy way, generally have difficulty in controlling their negative emotions. Parents who are commanding or controlling may unintentionally teach their children dictatorship and regress rather than improve their social skills. The behavior of the parents affects the behavior and reactions of the child with his friends. The child's first relationship is with the caregiver, usually the mother and father. The child, who applies what he observes and learns from his parents in his real-life relationships, behaves similarly to the parent's that he takes as a role model. When there is love, respect and tolerance among family members, the most suitable family environment for the social development of the child is created.

Ustaalioğlu lists the things that parents should pay attention to about their children's friendship relations as follows:

“First of all, don't give guidance about your child's friendship relationships unless it is necessary. Be tolerant of allowing the child to make their own decisions freely. That is, do not interfere when the child plays with his friends, argues, talks or shares anything. Let your child decide for himself where, when and how to act.

Don't overwhelm your child by constantly asking the same questions about their friends. Remember, the important thing is the moments when the child talks to you.

Be a real listener when your child wants to talk to you about their friends. Listen to what he wants to tell you. Avoid exaggerated negative reactions. A way of listening away from intense anger, surprise, fear reactions will be healthier in terms of understanding the subject.

Give your child time to work through problems with his friend. Every kid has problems with their friends. These problems are a great opportunity for the child to develop social relations and problem-solving skills. Ask your child for their opinion when they need support. The child, who is asked what he needs, will drop it in order to answer, that is, to solve the problem. In this way, he will gain the ability to cope with his own problems.”