How to help kids find their social mojo

We can all feel that we get a little 'out of practice' when we have fewer social encounters and social engagements.  After two years of on and off again gatherings it can feel strange to get back out there. This can feel especially weird and even stressful for our teens who are developmentally drawn to peer relationships, seek peer approval and feel the heightened importance of their 'social lives.

Whether your child is feeling a bit rusty or dreading the return to full-on social life, some anxiety is normal and there’s a lot we can do to help. It’s important to say that if their worries are affecting their ability to lead a normal life and interfering with things they normally enjoy, they may need professional support. 

Our goal is to help our children learn to manage their worries rather than to try and eliminate them. It’s our opportunity to remember that we’re all wired differently, we experience life differently and, as we ease back into full on socialising, we may have different worries or anxieties. It’s our chance to listen, help our children to open up about their feelings and empathise while we support them to be brave.

Read On to find five ways we can help