If your child is social/popular amongst peers in MS/HS what is their personality like?

[Anonymous]

If your child is social and popular amongst their peers in Middle or HS, what is their personality like? I have a theory on this but I want to hear what people’s own experience has been with their kids.

And if they struggled socially to make friends, what is their personality like?

[Anonymous]

I have two Ms boys. One has been cool since he was a baby basically. Just very outgoing, good looking, funny, a great personality. The other is much more reserved and sticks to just a few good friends. More anxiety and a pessimistic personality. Less confidence.

[Anonymous]

MS boy. Generally easy going. Can be a little shy at first but once he opens up he's Mr. Social. He has a wide range of interests and I think that probably is the biggest reason he's as social as he is. He seems to have friends from all areas of the school and even his closest group of friends are a mix of different kids.

He's pretty caring. He's always seemed pretty tuned into others and how they are feeling. He will invite people to join his friends if he notices someone is alone or will go talk to someone if they are by themselves.

I had always been a little worried about MS because he's always been on the more sensitive side and had some issues in 4th grade with being picked on. So far things have gone well. We will see what happens next year in high school. I think as things start to change with girls, sports, and academics, friendships may change as well.

[Anonymous]

Friendly, helpful, good at de-escalation, funny, smart, a little athletic (middle of the pack, but that comes easily to her). We live in San Francisco, where there's no such thing as popular but there is social and having friends vs not. I was really surprised to discover this lack of popularity, coming from the Northeast, but it's true. There are kids who are widely disliked, but it's for their behavior and treatment of others, rather than their looks. Quirky kids, handicapped kids, etc. all get included if they are nice.

[Anonymous]

My son is not in the cool fast crowd, but I'd say well-liked by peers and teachers.

He is very kind, polite, funny, confident and plays sports. Nice looking but not going model or anything. He does what he likes and doesn't follow the crowd too much, pretty mainstream tastes but still individual. Hopefully he stays on course like this.

[Anonymous]

My 12yo DD is not in the cool crowd ( they are into boys etc) but gets on well with everyone boys and girls alike. She always has.
She’s sporty and is very confident in general.
She has adhd but don’t think that’s a factor..

[Anonymous]

My kids is, but i feel i still have to do social engineering at grade 6. Like parents approach me to set up hang times, give me part invites etc. We host a lot and i still have to do the heavy lifting with snacks, crafts, seeing up tech etc.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:MS boy. Generally easy going. Can be a little shy at first but once he opens up he's Mr. Social. He has a wide range of interests and I think that probably is the biggest reason he's as social as he is. He seems to have friends from all areas of the school and even his closest group of friends are a mix of different kids.

He's pretty caring. He's always seemed pretty tuned into others and how they are feeling. He will invite people to join his friends if he notices someone is alone or will go talk to someone if they are by themselves.

I had always been a little worried about MS because he's always been on the more sensitive side and had some issues in 4th grade with being picked on. So far things have gone well. We will see what happens next year in high school. I think as things start to change with girls, sports, and academics, friendships may change as well.

That is great to hear. He sounds similar to my son.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:My son is not in the cool fast crowd, but I'd say well-liked by peers and teachers.

He is very kind, polite, funny, confident and plays sports. Nice looking but not going model or anything. He does what he likes and doesn't follow the crowd too much, pretty mainstream tastes but still individual. Hopefully he stays on course like this.

I always say it's a good thing to be in the B crowd in middle! Stay out of trouble for as long as possible.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Friendly, helpful, good at de-escalation, funny, smart, a little athletic (middle of the pack, but that comes easily to her). We live in San Francisco, where there's no such thing as popular but there is social and having friends vs not. I was really surprised to discover this lack of popularity, coming from the Northeast, but it's true. There are kids who are widely disliked, but it's for their behavior and treatment of others, rather than their looks. Quirky kids, handicapped kids, etc. all get included if they are nice.

Our school environment is similar.

[Anonymous]

15 year old and he has been “cool” since preschool. He’s naturally confident, empathetic and fun to be around. He’s also objectively a good looking teen (no acne, good build, tall). He’s decently athletic but not a super star. Since he was 5 kids just followed his lead. Happens to this day. Interestingly, his younger brother is nothing like this personality wise.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Friendly, helpful, good at de-escalation, funny, smart, a little athletic (middle of the pack, but that comes easily to her). We live in San Francisco, where there's no such thing as popular but there is social and having friends vs not. I was really surprised to discover this lack of popularity, coming from the Northeast, but it's true. There are kids who are widely disliked, but it's for their behavior and treatment of others, rather than their looks. Quirky kids, handicapped kids, etc. all get included if they are nice.

Why are you on a Washington DC based website?

[Anonymous]

OMG. What is your theory, momma?

[Anonymous]

OP here, my theory is that loud, fun, outgoing kids are the popular ones, and the really shy introverts are not popular. Is this your sense, too?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP here, my theory is that loud, fun, outgoing kids are the popular ones, and the really shy introverts are not popular. Is this your sense, too?

Yes boo