How to Coach Your Child’s Social Skills and Friendships

Summary: Parents can help kids make and keep friends by coaching them, not just teaching them. Coaching means talking about real things that just happened. Instead of telling your child what to do, ask them questions like, "How do you think your friend felt?" or "What could you do differently next time?" Good conversations need balance, like the Goldilocks rule—not talking too much, and not listening too little. If a mistake happens, help your child fix it by apologizing or finding the right words. The goal isn't to control their friendships, but to give them the skills to be a good friend on their own.

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