Do a Google search using terms such as + social network, or + meet ups. ![]() There are also many websites that help you connect with new friends in your neighborhood or city. You may find these groups online, or they may be listed in the newspaper or on community bulletin boards. Look for groups or clubs that gather around an interest or hobby you share. You may need to suggest plans a few times before you can tell if your interest in a new friend is mutual. Take the initiative rather than waiting for invitations to come your way and keep trying. The broader your efforts, the greater your likelihood of success. Don't limit yourself to one strategy for meeting people. ![]() To meet new people who might become your friends, you have to go to places where others are gathered. Ask mutual friends or acquaintances to share the person's contact information, or - even better - to reintroduce the two of you with a text, email or in-person visit. Williams is known for her intuitive and practical parenting style.If anyone stands out in your memory as someone you'd like to know better, reach out. I offer a free 15-minute phone consultation, individual sessions, group coaching and classes. If you need help bridging the gap between being a healthy friend and a healthy parent, let me know. Do that from early on and they will seek you out when they need information and guidance later. They won’t care about what you have to say because you just told them you don’t care about how they feel (even though that is not your intention).Ĭome alongside your children in their highs and lows. If you pull rank by saying, “ I’m not your friend,” you have pulled the plug on connection as well. Nothing happens if nothing is getting through. When you are working through something as a family, the first thing you want to ensure is that you are connected. Life is about relationships, connection, heart and love. Clear leadership in the family is crucial. In a family team, the parent is the coach and the kids are the players. In all of that flexibility, the coach is always the coach and the players know it. The coach sometimes practices with the players to show them new skills, listens when they need a listening ear, pushes them at times, and gives them a break when needed. They all work together and they have very defined roles. If you think about a team, there are coaches and there are players. We need to bridge the communication gap, not make it wider. They have so many distractions and families are so busy. We do not want to accidentally push our kids away. Then you don’t have to worry about losing your power by being their friend they know you hold the final say. When a parent is clear on their role, so is the child. That can be done with some coaching or counseling. If you are struggling with that part, you simply need to clarify and step into the parental role that you hold. To clarify, I’m not talking about being a “peer” friend. What’s a parent if they are not someone we know we can trust? A parent needs to be a friend. If we announce “ I am not your friend,” we are closing a really important door. ![]() They go to their friends when they need someone. Who do you go to when you’re sad or confused? Who do you go to when you want advice or a listening ear? Your friends. Do we really want to teach our children that parents are not their friends? Do we want to voluntarily sign up to be adversaries? I don’t think so. In reality, when you break it down, what is the opposite of friend? It’s adversary or enemy. How would you feel if someone close to you said, “ I’m not your friend“? Would you even hear the words that followed? I wouldn’t. Then they add, “I’m your parent and I love you.” What we are not considering is what those words sound like to the child. “ I’m not your friend.” Many parents proudly say these words to their children today.
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