199. 6 Simple Ways to Help Your Kids Build Social Confidence and Connection
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In this episode, we’re diving into a topic that hits close to home for every parent—social wellness for kids and step-kids. If you’ve ever felt unsure about how to guide your children through the ups and downs of friendships, bullying, or personal boundaries, you’re not alone. We’ve been there too and we’re sharing some of our own experiences (both the wins and the missteps) as we supported our kids’ social growth.
This is the third episode in our wellness series, and today we’re focusing on the social skills that help kids thrive, not just in childhood but for the rest of their lives. We’ll talk about what social wellness really means, why it’s so important, and how blended family dynamics can add an extra layer of complexity. Plus, we’ll share six practical strategies that have made a difference in our home.
You’ll hear stories about how we coached our kids through rejection, mean-girl drama, and personal boundaries—all while learning some lessons ourselves along the way. We know firsthand how tricky it can be to help kids build confidence and navigate social challenges, but we’re here to offer encouragement and ideas you can use right now. Let’s tackle this together!
What You'll Learn
Why social wellness is vital for kids' emotional health and overall happiness.
Common parenting challenges in supporting kids' social development.
Six actionable tips to help your children build social skills.
Resources Mentioned
TED Talk: The Good Life is Built with Good Relationships by Dr. Robert Waldinger.
Episode 168. Actionable Steps for Helping Kids Navigate Through Difficult Emotions and Problem Solve (the skill of Emotion Coaching)
Article by Isa Marrs: 7 Signs Your Child is Being Bullied
Article by Jason Marrs: What to do, and not do, if your child is being bullied
Book: Crazy Stressed by Dr. Michael Bradley
Episode 19. How to Help Ste-Siblings to Get Along Better
Advice for parents teaching social skills: Where I Can Be Me
Tips for Teens around social issues: Where I Can Be Me
Actionable Takeaways
Choose one or two of the six social skills strategies to focus on with your child this week.
Share this episode with a friend or co-parent who might find these tips helpful.
Leave us a rating and review to let us know your thoughts on this series.
#BlendedFamily #SocialWellness #ParentingTips
Ready for personalized support? Schedule your free coaching call
We all need some extra support along the blending journey — we're here to help. You can connect with us for a free coaching call to see how we might help you experience more clarity, confidence, and connection in your home. Schedule your free call here: https://calendly.com/mikeandkimcoaching/freesession
Feeling overwhelmed and not sure where to start?
With so many episodes available here on the show, it might feel a bit overwhelming to find the topics that matter most to you. That's why we've created the Blended Family Breakthrough Quiz which will direct you to the most impactful episodes that pertain to you personally.
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You don't need to navigate blended family life alone. Join our supportive community where you'll connect directly with us and other couples just like you who are intentionally investing in healthy blending strategies. Click the link to find out how to join: https://learning.blendedfamilybreakthrough.com/blendingtogether
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