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Navigate: FAQ Home Page > Emotional Issues > Daughter having trouble making friends
Posted on: 09/09/2011
Question
My daughter having trouble making friends in her new school. She's extremly sad and very self-consious.
Answer
It's difficult as a parent to observe your child as sad and struggling in a new situation, and natural that you are concerned. I would encourage you to sit down with your daughter and make a safe space for her to talk about the new situation, asking questions about her interactions, and let her know that it's normal to have difficulty transitioning into new environments and meeting new people. You might even share with her some of your own experiences as a youth when you encountered similar challenges, sharing what helped you through those trying times. If talking about things is not helpful and you see your daughter continue to feel sad and self-conscious, I would encourage you to consider speaking with her school counselor, her pediatrician or perhaps a mental health therapist.