How to make friends in HS
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Anonymous
| My son just started high school and is with a completely new group of people. He is pretty shy and I do not know how to get him to meet new kids. He has joined a few clubs, which I think will help. But how can I arrange after school or weekend visits? It is not like I can ask the mom for a play date! Help! Any suggestions? |
Anonymous
| Clubs and teams are a good start. I had to completely change peer groups at the start of high school after my parents decided that my burnout friends were a bad influence. I joined several nerdy clubs (debate, forensics, model UN) and two sports teams (track and swimming) and developed a great group of friends (on whom I was a bad influence). |
Anonymous
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I agree clubs and sports. also look for the other newer kids rather than try to get in with the already formed groups.
so look for other newbies. it there a game he wants to go to? a movie? hiking? tell him to pick a couple things and reach out to people in a laid back way. Hey, want to go to see blah blah movie this weekend? if he asks a few he will get some bites. all teens are not socially perfect creatures. all of them basically feel awkward, even the popular looking ones. just encourage him. help him with ideas and rides. |
Anonymous
Agree with everyone else here. When DD started HS she knew no one. Joined one club and she had an instant group of great friends. |
Anonymous
| High school is all about finding your tribe. He may not even find it through school get him to think aout what he cares about and then promote those activities. |
Anonymous
| Let your kid do it himself. Don't arrange anything for him. How embarrassing. |
Anonymous
Generally agree but you can give him ideas and be willing to do the driving. What about suggesting a trip to markoffs Haunted Forest or something like that. It was a very popular activity for my DCs group in 9th and 10th grade and required parent drivers. |
Anonymous
I'm glad for your DD but ...I wish it were that easy. ... especially if your child is more reserved, shy... (sigh...) |
Anonymous
| Any sports? Any instrument? Any interest group? There has to be something he likes to do. And most of all he needs to be willing to step put of his comfort a bit and try to make friends. If he really won't approach others, he has to at least be approachable to others who are more outgoing. But he can't depend on others to do all the work. Shy or not, try to reach out. |
Anonymous
Totally agree |
Anonymous
| Give it time. It's only been a month. |
Anonymous
| Drama club! If he can't act, do the lighting. Instant friends. |
Anonymous
Really? I was in several clubs in high school but they only met once a month and sometimes bi-monthly. Hardly a way to build friendships. |
Anonymous
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Wasn't this an episode on the "The Brady Bunch?" It was either Marsha or Jan, and they ended up joining a lot of clubs.
Look it up on Hulu and watch the episode with your son. |
Anonymous
| There isn't really anything you can do, but encourage clubs and sports. Do you belong to a church-- good way to meet friends are church youth groups. |