By Nadine Briggs and Donna Shea
Social groups are back in full swing with kids, teens, and adults of all ages coming to learn how to connect and become more confident in socializing.
Pretty much everyone is feeling anxious. The group participants are coming to a center where they might not know anyone. Parents are sending their children to a place that they hope is going to be the key to what’s been missing for their child to make friends. They worry about who else will be in the group. Will it be the right fit? Parents wonder, will the coach see my child’s struggle and be able to help? If connections aren’t made that first day or if the social challenge doesn’t reveal itself immediately, the worry grows.
We understand. When your child is not connecting socially with others, it’s concerning. We have experienced how it feels to know that your child might be getting teased or have no one to sit with at lunch. We understand your worry about the teen who is isolated and only wants to play video games.
Our advice is to let the “settling in” settle. Trust the process and the professionals who are coaching your child. We’ve got this. If over time, we have a concern that our program isn’t a good fit, we will absolutely let you know. Chances are, once the dust settles, we’ll see why they’re with us. We’ll see connections start to form and we’ll be right there to assist and guide to see that those budding friendships bloom.
It won’t always be smooth. Your child might get bonked, he or she might feel awkward at times, or feel like they don’t fit in. It takes time and effort to coach these skills but the process works, once the “settling in” settles.
