Named a Mom-Approved Pediatrician by North Texas Child Magazine 5 years in a row, Dr. Anne Georgulas has owned and operated Dr. Anne Pediatrics for 28 years. In her Coppell, Texas, office, Dr. Anne Georgulas focuses on treating the whole child, which includes addressing topics such as making friends.

While making friends may seem like a natural part of childhood, children may not instinctively know how to develop and maintain peer relationships. Parents can treat the skill as they would a safety skill such as crossing the street, providing concrete information such as how friends help each other, follow rules, and take turns. Then, parents can model what it means to be a good friend, pointing out when they bring a neighbor dinner or engage in a conversation with their partner.

Through honest, open conversation with parents, children learn what values are important to the family and can choose friends accordingly. Parents should create opportunities for friendships through playdates, then encourage repeat playdates with children they feel are a positive influence.

Especially when kids are young, parents should play a key role in choosing appropriate friends.
Above all, parents should work on their own relationships with their children. According to an Ohio State study, teenagers with strong parent relationships also report better friendships.