DEEP DIVE: When Our Kids Are Bad at Making Friends

When we have a kid who just doesn't seem to fit in—or who is a loner, if a fairly content one—it can be hard for parents. But putting our own anxiety about it aside, and getting clear on the lagging skills and social cues that may not quite be in place, is the best way to help kids get on a better path. This episode is full of specific and useful advice!

Amy and Margaret discuss:

• all the reasons kids can have trouble making (and keeping) friends
• five "unwritten social rules" that some kids take longer to comprehend
• how figuring out the specific issues at play can lead to the most useful solutions

This episode was originally released on May 29, 2024.

Here are links to some of the resources mentioned in the episode:

• Jamie Howard, et. al for Child Mind Institute: ⁠Kids Who Need a Little Help to Make Friends⁠
• The Sue Larkey podcast: ⁠Promoting Social Understanding – Social Scripts⁠
• Gwen Dewar for Parenting Science: ⁠How to help kids make friends: 12 evidence-based tips⁠
• Christine Comizio for U.S. News Health: ⁠Understanding Kids' Friendship Struggles: Common Causes and Solutions⁠
• Lexi Walters Wright for Understood.org: ⁠5 “unwritten” social rules that some kids miss⁠
• Andrew M.I. Lee for Understood.org: ⁠Why some kids have trouble making friends⁠
• ADHD Dude: ⁠"How to Help Your ADHD Child Keep Friends"⁠

What Fresh Hell is co-hosted by Margaret Ables and Amy Wilson.

We love the sponsors that make this show possible! You can always find all the special deals and codes for all our current sponsors on our website:

⁠https://www.whatfreshhellpodcast.com/p/promo-codes/⁠

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