Advice for Children on Making Friends

Making friends is an important part of life, without friends you would be a very lonely person. Yet nothing is scarier then going to a new place, be it school, work or a party, and not knowing anyone.

One of the first things you want to do when entering a new situation is to make some friends. It seems easy enough to make friends; you walk up to someone, introduce yourself and begin a conversation. But making a good friendship is a little more complicated then that.

Making Friends
Here are a few things you can do to make it easier to make friends.

• Participate in Activities: Whether it is a school-sponsored activity or something outside of school, you will encounter people who like the same things you do, which gives you something to talk about.
• Smile: A smile shows you are friendly and willing to talk. No one will approach someone who is frowning or looks mean.
• Start a Conversation: This one takes a little practice, but once you get the hang of it, it is easy. You can start by complementing the person. Point out something you admire, and the conversation will flow naturally from there.

Once you are in a conversation, ask questions about the person. This shows that you are interested, and everyone likes to talk about themselves. Plus, you learn about the person, allowing you to continue the conversation.

Keeping Friends
Friendships are great, but they can't be neglected or they will go away. Now that you have made friends, you need to do things to keep those friends.

• Listen: The same quality that you want in a friend, your friends want in you. They want you to listen to them.
• Be There: When your friends are sad, angry or scared, you need to be there for them. You need to be able to put aside your needs and concentrate on them.
• Be Honest and Trustworthy: You need to treat your friends with respect. Make sure you aren't telling their secrets or talking about them behind their backs.

Problem Friends
Every once in awhile you may run into someone who appears to be a great friend at first. As time goes on, you realize that this friend isn't that great after all.

Any "friend" who would ask you to lie, cheat or steal is no friend at all. Any friend who forces you to do something that makes you uncomfortable is not someone you want in your life.

Beware of friends who are always telling you what to do, physically hurting you or always calling you names. This type of person is not really your friend. You friend should also never give you the silent treatment, just to get a reaction out of you.

In addition, of course, a true friend would never ask you to do drugs or alcohol. True friends will support the choices that you make and even stick up for you in the face of peer pressure.