When Your Child… Struggles to Make Conversation

(74 seconds. Video transcript at bottom)

Hi,

I’m always thinking about how to make Open Door For Parents valuable for you. I also have to think about how to make it sustainable for me. Could you please take 2 seconds to tell me which format you prefer for posts? The professional, 2-min. videos are expensive for me to make. Do they matter to you?

Does YOUR KID have a question about friendship?

Starting in January, I’ll be answering questions from kids about friendships. Answers will be available for all subscribers to Open Door for Parents. You can listen to some examples of me answering children’s questions about friendship HERE.

Adults, please use your smartphone's memo function or an audio app to record your child's question. Please hold the phone close to your child's mouth to make sure the recording is clear. Have your child state:

1) their FIRST NAME,

2) their AGE, and

3) a BRIEF QUESTION or concern about friendship. (Please do not mention any friends' names.)

Email the audio file to DrF@EileenKennedyMoore.com. I’ll answer as many questions as I can. (Obviously, this is not psychotherapy, and it’s not for emergency situations.)

Warm wishes,

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Read More:

• When Your Child… Is in the Middle of a Melt-Down

• When Your Child… Has an Argument with a Friend

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• Help Your Child Cope With Feelings

• Helping Your Anxious Child

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Video Transcript

Welcome back to Open Door for Parents. I'm Dr. Eileen. 

Sometimes kids feel uncomfortable talking to other kids because they don't know what to say.  Here are some easy ways to start a conversation. 

1. Give a compliment. A compliment is like a little gift that says, “I like you!” 

2. Ask How and What questions. This shows interest, and it's also a good way for your child to figure out what they have in common with the other kid. So, you might ask, “How's your soccer team going?” or “What are you doing this weekend?” Be careful about “Why?” question. Those can come across as critical like, “Why did you do such a thing?!” 

3. Do fun things together. That's how kids make and keep friends. And talking about what they're doing together makes conversation easy