While it's true that you can't do everything for your child, there's no reason you can't guide him down the right path, especially when it comes to making friends. Bonding with others can be a new experience for younger children. Of course, you can lead by example, but there are steps you can take to set your child up for success. In ideal world, your child would have no trouble developing lifelong friendships from the get-go. However, that's not a reality. The first thing you want to keep in mind is that you can't pick your child's friends. There are going to be people who he meshes with and people he doesn't. And don't ever try to push your friend's your children on your child - that's usually a recipe for disaster. If your child isn't the most outgoing little person, take baby steps. You want the experience of building a friendship to be a positive one. When it comes to playdates, two is the magic number and three's company. Keep playdates small. It's usually for two children to get along better than adding a third person.
Network with the parents of your child's classmates, teammates or neighborhood children. Limit playdates to a couple of hours. When children get tired, they're more apt to bicker. Cutting playdates short is a good way to ensure that they end on a positive note. Implement a game plan for your child's playdate. Have crafts or games on hand so they don't quickly grow bored. You want children to come back again. If your child and his potential pal don't click, try not to be too disappointed. Remember, there are plenty of fish in the sea. Where one door closes, another is sure to open. Communicate with your child's teacher to find out how he gets along with other children. Find out if he is being bullied or if he is bullying others. This will help you get a clearer picture with what you're dealing.