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EXPOSE'

. . . The bi- monthly newsletter .
PRESIDENT & PUBLISHER: JC WILLY GOES EDITOR: JC ABHIJIT DALVI
EDITORIAL BOARD: JC PRASAD BHAT, JC SANDEEP HEBLE VOL 3- ISSUE 3

" A friend in need is a friend indeed," This is saying on which each one of us believes since our childhood.

For many of us, life's warmest and most enduring friendships are forged in childhood. Remember the kid who taught you how to climb trees? Or the friend who helped you dress for your first date? Most children find a pal to help them figure our life and to share the joy and pain of growing up.

By providing a sense of belonging and peer support, friends are a bridge between the family and the outside world. "Childhood friendships are practice for all other intimate relations later in life," says one Co-author of Making a friend in Youth. "They do make a difference."

Some children have problems making friends, but with proper guidance and support, that can change. Although you cannot control the course of your child's social life, there are ways to encourage and help him or her make friends:

Get involved. One common mistake parents make, say experts, in thinking that kids will automatically find friends on their own. "Friendships cannot grow unless a child can get together with friends regularly says Thomas Berndt, a psychologist. " Circumstances may demand that the parent become the agent." Rahul insisted his son Akshat to attend summer camp, after a week, Akshat came and informed his father about the activities he enjoyed with his new friend he makes in the summer camp. Parents must devise ways to stepping in while respecting their child's dignity. To make new friends.

Bolster your child's self-confidence through accomplishments. When children are good at something, it builds their confidence and offers them a way to get to know others. " Friendship is based on common interests, "says Dr. Vijay. " If your child doesn't have many friends." Foster interests on which a friendship can be based." Parents can help a child find a pursuit by exposing him or her to many opportunities. A bent for Swimming or Tennis may never emerge unless the child has a chance to try it.

Allow enough leeway. While children need guidance, they also need to make some of their own decisions. For example, parents often worry about their child's clothing or hairstyle. But experts say it's best to let kids experiment, within reason. " One of the ways adolescents gain security is to be part of a group,. And one way groups forms is based on how they look," says Robert brooks , and expert in child and adolescent psychology. Another area in which your child needs some leeway is in choosing friends. As much as parents want their children to make friends, they don't want them to make the wrong friends. " But unless there is danger involved," says Brooks, " it is best to let kids find out for themselves which friendships work and which ones don't.

Respect differences. It's important to recognize that children's social needs differ. For instance, not every child needs a lot of friends. Quantity is not quality. For some kids one or two friends could be enough.

Set an example. Parents who remember birthdays and plan get-togethers with friends are telling their children that friendships matter. A child will pick up on the ways his parents interact with their own friends.

Remember In many families lessons about listening and caring for others are passed down through generations.

There are few gifts greater than friendship. And with love, patience and gentle guidance, we can help our children attain this treasure.