Everyone needs to know how to make new friends. And the earlier kids learn this skill, the more they'll enjoy life.

Ask yourself these key questions: Why do some people have lots of friends and others none? Why do some friends treat you well, and some friends take advantage of you? Which friends make you feel special? Why?

These are some of the questions I'll be answering as I provide inspiration to empower your kids with a necessary skill they'll use their entire lives.

Steps to making new friends:

1. Step 1: Make friends with yourself.
   We must make friends with ourselves before we can successfully make friends with others.

   Kids probably don't think much about becoming their own best friend.

   They may even have a hard time understanding they have to be their own best friend first, but that's where you come in mom.

   Share personal stories demonstrating how when you didn't take care of your own needs, you often felt like the friendship was lopsided.

   You are your child's most important teacher.

2. Step 2: Learn to set healthy boundaries so others don't take advantage of you.

   Know what you believe in.

   Check out this list of character traits.
   
   When your child lives by her chosen character traits, it's easier to remain true to her values and do what's in her best interests, rather than making a new friend whose values contradict her's.

3. Step 3: Learn to listen.

   If you want to know how to make new friends, study this brief lesson on listening and friendship.

   The greatest gift you give a friend is when you truly listen to her.

   Everyone hears what you say. Friends listen to what you say. Best friends listen to what you don't say. ---Author Unknown

   When you listen to her and actually hear what she says, you’re able to feed back or say back to her what she said.

   Next time you speak with someone, watch yourself. Are you really listening or are you formulating your response?

   It’s an art to listen.

   But you can train yourself.

   Just keep catching yourself when you stop listening to the person you’re speaking with.

   Listening to others is an important key in learning how to make new friends.

4. Step 4: Share your toys, games and yourself.Sharing is crucial in learning how to make new friends.

   Oftentimes, a new kid will want to play with one of your toys. Or just play with you. Do you want to share your toy?

   Sometimes, you may and sometimes you won't.

   You have a choice. But remember, what’s more important: deepening the friendship or playing with your toy?

   You can always play with your toy later, but will your potential new friend want to keep playing with you if you don’t share?

   Then, there’s sharing yourself. Many people don’t care what they’re doing as long as they do it with a best friend, or a good friend.

   Kids are full of energy and do lots of activities. Make sure moms to include any of your child’s possible new friends in as many activities as you feel comfortable with.

5. Step 5: Participate in activities you like.

   In learning how to make a new friend, the more you do things you like, the more you meet new people with at least one same interest.

   From there, see if there is someone you like. Start a conversation with her.

   I know, you’re shy, it’s hard to walk up to a stranger.

   Here are some places to test on your friendship making skills: In

   1. after school soccer games,
   2. art classes,
   3. volunteer work,
   4. sledding in the snow,
   5. horse back riding,
   6. hiking,
   7. studying in small groups,
   8. taking drama classes in school,
   9. girl scounts,
   10. boy scouts,
   11. Sunday school classes,
   12. after school basketball,
   13. little league.