199. 6 Simple Ways to Help Your Kids Build Social Confidence and Connection

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 Step-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.

Ready for some extra support? 

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

#BlendedFamily #SocialWellness #ParentingTips

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