How To Help Children Choose Friends

Philippines
December 5, 2010 7:16pm CST
It has been said that we humans are like sponges. We absorb what is around us, so if bad people are around us, we have the tendency to be just like them. We can see this in people who are once nice people, but when they became close to people who are boastful and greedy, they become the same. If you are a parent, I am sure you want your children to grow up responsible people. But if they are exposed to the wrong people, they might grow up bad guys. And of course, if we love them, we do not want them to be like that. So, parents, how do you actually help your children choose the right friends? Do you try to go along with their friends? Or you just let them be with whoever they want?
1 person likes this
9 responses
6 Dec 10
they will be friends with anyone they choose because they are kids we cant prtect they from everything
@stanley777 (9402)
• Philippines
6 Dec 10
As a father I'm not choosy of whoever my child want to be friend with as long as they introduce their friends to us.As parents me and my wife always told them to be very careful also in choosing their friends because friendship is a very delicate thing this days what I mean is sometimes it goes beyond brothers/sister relationship.Some consider friends as family members so one must be choosy in having one...
@reckon21 (3479)
• Philippines
6 Dec 10
I am not a parent yet because I am still single but I think I am allowed to comment in this thread. Children is very innocent and they are quite fresh and susceptible to the air around them. What I am trying to say is that we can choose their friends while they are still young but when they grow up they have a mind of their own. When they grow up they are free to choose their own friends even if the parents wont allow it. I think it's still safe to let the child choose their friends at their tender age because most of the kids at that time is also innocent and pure. When they grow up it's a different matter altogether.
@hanni711 (243)
• Philippines
6 Dec 10
It would be better if we allow our kids to chose the kind of friend they want. But as a parent, I just guide my children whose friend they can mingle. But it's still up to their choice.
@johnpillai (2082)
• Germany
6 Dec 10
My daughter is 10. I have this problem. Till her 3rd class she was very good in her lessons. After having a new friend she has started to get poor marks. I got upset. I found putting some strict orders would not work. But I set limits. And keep them in front of my eyes. I can#t say the friend is so bad. But some of her habits, I don#t like. Now my daughter is in 5th class. Again she is getting good marks with the same friend. In this article in the last two paragraph I mention about the friend of my daughter. When you have time you can readit.http://gomestic.com/family/school-children-and-their-after-school-activities/
@xinshunhe (132)
• China
6 Dec 10
Children are so clever to learn new things they ever touched,no matter you teach them or not. and they will become whatever the living environment create. so in my opinion, it is better to build a harmonious living environment for them to grow,we adult can make it.
@barehugs (8973)
• Canada
6 Dec 10
I raised 4 good boys, and I am proud of them now that they are grown and away. I always taught them to do their own thinking and be their own person. I have never believed in friends even as I do not believe in religious teachings. Friends are trouble in technicolor! Be your own friend, and your own adviser.
@toniganzon (72517)
• Philippines
6 Dec 10
My son is only 6 years old and at this moment, I just let him play and be happy with whoever he's with. But as soon as he reaches puberty, I know that it'll be different. He'll get exposed to many people who can mold and change him into a person that we might not like. So, as what I've always told other people before, I'd love to have a good relationship with my son and meet his friends by inviting them to our house and encouraging them to have fun with me. I want to be a cool mom, not pushing, but an encouraging one.
• Philippines
6 Dec 10
I definitely agree with you.... we are really sponges and we absorb the world's negative vibration...