It’s a sentence that stops parents in their tracks. Child psychologists say one of the first things parents say at a consultation is, “My kid says, ‘Nobody likes me.'” Here’s the advice from one expert. parade
The first thing to say
Psychologist Amy Kincaid Todey, PhD, recommends a simple line: “Oof. Tell me what happened.” She says a child’s painful social moment doesn’t always need to disappear immediately. yahooyahoo
Why finding out matters
Sometimes “nobody likes me” turns out to mean something small, like a best friend sitting with someone else that day. Parents need to know which situation they’re dealing with before responding. yahoo
What to avoid
Many parents default to lines like “That’s not true!” Todey cautions against these automatic statements. Another pediatric source explains why: saying “That’s not true” can feel dismissive, and starting with a feeling like “That must have hurt” works better. Child Psychologist Says This Is the Best Way To Respond When Your Kid Says ‘Nobody Likes Me’ +2
Zoom in gently
Todey suggests gently nudging kids to get specific, with questions about what happened. That helps children learn that one painful social moment doesn’t necessarily define their whole social life. yahooyahoo
Stay calm
A Psychology Today piece notes that if you become visibly upset about a friendship problem, it can make the problem seem bigger to your child. psychologytoday
When to get more help
Parents can start by speaking to the child’s pediatrician, teacher, school counselor or school psychologist. If your child is in danger or it’s a case of serious bullying, step in. yahoopsychologytoday
Bottom line
Start with the feeling, then find out what happened. This article is general information and not a substitute for professional advice.
