This part of my blog is based on the advice of a pre-teen called Milly. Through coaching, Milly is learning how to make being her age a little less complicated – for herself and others around her. She would like to share her ideas, in the hope that she can help others going through the same kind of things.
Making New Friends
“Friends aren’t always something you get straight away – even if that’s what you really want. It’s easy to feel like you just want someone to hang around with, but then they can actually stop you making new friends.”
“Some people really have a thing about popularity and they will be mean to you just so they can be friends with the person you are friends with. And then, the friend you used to be friends with, starts being mean to you because that’s what the other person wants. But, if the false friend is being mean to your old friend, then that’s not friendship at all. That sounds weird and complicated, but people my age will get it.”
“Sometimes making new friends is scary and really you want them to like you. Be yourself – not the person they want you to be.”
Some strategies on how to make a friend:
- Smile
- Ask them their name and tell them yours
- Ask a question about what they like to do or what TV they watch
- Give a compliment
- Be aware of things you do when you are nervous, like talk too much – acknowledge it and then move on to chatting about something else
- Remember – everyone can be nervous when trying to make new friends, even if they do not look nervous.
